Bicycle [Penny Farthing]
Maker and role
Gough Brothers, Manufacturer
Production date
1892-1903
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Object detail
Accession number
F957.2002
Maker
Description
Steel bicycle with leather seat and rubber tyres. Black and white pin-striping with gold line internals. Seat has the name "Gough". Nice engraved patterns on seat top. The pin-striping was re-done, rather crudely. Left hand pedal is not original - has been replaced with a more modern one. Has straight handle bar with wooden hand grips, undamaged. Seat springs - left side more compressed than right. Has provision in seat for attachable tool case. Brake lever intact. Has been used in modern times for demonstration. The penny-farthing is a direct-drive bicycle, meaning that the cranks and pedals are affixed directly to the hub. Instead of using a relatively complex and heavy gear system to multiply the revolutions of the pedals, the driven wheel was enlarged to its maximum radius - up to a length equal to the rider's inseam - to increase the maximum speed. This shifted the position of the rider upward, placing him nearly on top of the wheel. This meant that the rider's feet could not reac
Brief History
The penny-farthing is a type of bicycle produced in England during in the 1870s. The two wheel bicycle has a large front wheel and a smaller rear wheel. This example was made by Birmingham based firm Gough Brothers, who operated a bicycle manufacturing company between 1892 until 1903. Marked with 'Ladys', this bicycle is one of several types manufactured by Gough Brothers who designed and made ranges for both males and females.
Marks
Gough
GOUGH & Co. / LADYS / G 20 / BIRMINGHAM Maker's Mark
GOUGH & Co. / LADYS / G 20 / BIRMINGHAM Maker's Mark
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Gough Brothers. 1892-1903. Bicycle [Penny Farthing], F957.2002. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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