Friday, July 21, 2023

Smith Flyer

 
Bill Sherk, 60 years behind the Wheel, Dundurn Press, 2003

The 1922 picture above shows Frank James and his daughter Doris setting off in what has to be the absolute minimum licensed and powered transportation device.  The caption suggested it was homemade, but it does look very much like a Smith Flyer- which looked well... very homemade. (Build your own!
The British-made Wall Motorwheel was intended for powering a bicycle.  AO Smith, an innovative metal working company,  saw another use, acquired the rights, and attached it to a small wooden "go-kart" type vehicle, naming it the Smiths Flyer. Briggs and Stratton acquired the rights to the vehicle in 1919 and produced it for a few more years.
In any case I'm sure Frank and Doris are off to A&W for a root beer float.



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