Bicycle, Handmade by Henry V. Hemeyer, circa 1935
Add to SetSummary
Henry V. Hemeyer's son, Frederick, wanted a bicycle, but the family couldn't afford one during the Great Depression. The resourceful father instead built a bike from galvanized water pipe and flat steel. The finished cycle is held together with nuts and bolts rather than welds, is driven by gears rather than a chain, and has wheels made from bent pipe.
Henry V. Hemeyer's son, Frederick, wanted a bicycle, but the family couldn't afford one during the Great Depression. The resourceful father instead built a bike from galvanized water pipe and flat steel. The finished cycle is held together with nuts and bolts rather than welds, is driven by gears rather than a chain, and has wheels made from bent pipe.
Artifact
Bicycle
Date Made
circa 1935
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
98.4.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Raymond C. Smith.
Material
Steel
Technique
Handmade
Dimensions
Height: 38.5 in (At front wheel to handle bars.)
Width: 22.25 in
Length: 63 in
Wheelbase: 40 in
Weight: 70 lbs
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