Bicycle models on the unique water of the ancients

Water bicycles appeared from the 1800s, some models have unique designs and are also patented.

Georg Pinkert tried to drive his tricycle to cross the English Channel.(Photo: Smithsonian.)

Since the 1800s, people have invented very innovative water bicycle models, including quite high-performance models, according to Smithsonian. Some designs are even patented in the US.

Water bicycle appeared in 1868, Caroline Rochford, author of the book "Forgotten Songs and Stories of the Sea", rewritten. According to records, many people pedaled this car to relax on Lake Enghien on the outskirts of Paris, France.

The car that looked similar to the design was awarded a patent by Fisher A. Spofford and Matthew Raffington in 1869. It was a hybrid bike, which looked like a pedal boat but added a saddle. Their design seems to be quite practical, at least not easily toppled as soon as the waves hit.

Designing bicycles in the future of Fisher A. Spofford and Matthew Raffington in 1869. (Photo: Smithsonian.)

However, Spofford and Raffington are not the first Frenchmen to create water bikes. The design of an inventor from Boston, USA, published in Scientific American in April 1869 and was praised as a "very neat device".

David J. Farmer, living in West Virginia, USA, invented a bicycle that could be used both on land and underwater and was patented in July 1869. When traveling underwater, the driver will balance on three floating buoys arranged similarly to a tricycle and make a run by using hand to control the lever, almost like controlling the running machine use both hands and feet today.

Bicycles come both on land and underwater by David J. Farmer.(Photo: Smithsonian.)

In 1869, another unique model that looked like a small boat built by Lewis Bunn was also patented. The first part of the car is quite sophisticated.

Lewis Bunn's unique water bike design.(Photo: Smithsonian.)

Georg Pinkert's Pinkert Navigating Tricycle tricycle model used gas-like tires in 1891. He tried to cross the English Channel on this car, according to Scientific American.

Georg Pinkert's famous tricycle bike design in 1891. (Photo: Smithsonian.)

Pinkert tried his best to ride his bike, but by halfway the tide prevented him from accomplishing his goal. Realizing that he could be swept out to sea, he called a ship passing by and was picked up by the people on the ship.

Nowadays, people can still see some modern bicycle models in famous tourist beaches. However, their popularity and usability are still not comparable to conventional bicycles.