The 'Monowheel' - An Invention That Didn't Catch On
From the 1860s to the 1930s, the monowheel, also known as a monocycle, was often proposed as a viable new mode of transportation.
Various inventors created their own interpretations of the monowheel, utilising different power sources such as human power, electricity, or gas engines. Despite the variations, all designs operated on the fundamental principle of the driver sitting inside a smaller inner ring that made contact with the larger outer wheel, enabling the vehicle to move forward while keeping the driver level.
In 1869, a French inventor developed the first known monowheel, which actually had two wheels - a large wheel with a seat inside and a smaller wheel underneath. The rider used pedals to move the small wheel, which consequently propelled the larger wheel. Even back then, the monowheel was acknowledged as a challenging mode of transportation and was deemed "impracticable for ordinary mortals."
As the early 20th century approached, inventors started experimenting with engine-powered monowheels. Some designers even incorporated aeroplane propellers at the front to assist with steering. However, none of these designs were ever mass-produced.
During the 1930s, scientific publications began showcasing concepts of car-like monowheels enclosed in metal and glass, capable of accommodating multiple passengers.
Dr. J.H. Purves is known for creating the Dynasphere in 1932, which is arguably the most famous version of the peculiar vehicle. This motorized monster was capable of reaching speeds between 25 and 30 MPH.
Dr. Purves believed that the monowheel represented the simplest form of motorized transportation. However, his invention did not achieve the success he had envisioned due to its lack of stability, limited capacity for passengers, and various other design flaws.
A monowheel differs from a unicycle as the rider sits inside the wheel's circumference, rather than atop or outside of it, functioning like a large ball bearing. The driver and the engine secure the inner wheel, while the engine propels the outer loop.
The monowheel remains upright due to gyroscopic principles. As long as an external force, such as an engine (though some monowheels are pedal-powered), propels it forward, the vehicle will continue to move.
Undoubtedly, maneuvering one of these contraptions is quite challenging as well. Due to the monowheel's lack of additional wheels and its somewhat awkward posture, handling becomes quite tricky. Typically, a rider will aim to keep their feet positioned close to the ground to prevent the monowheel from toppling over completely.
Moreover, if the monowheel is equipped with a powerful engine, it is improbable that all of the power can be effectively utilized in this configuration. The lack of stability when the forward motion ceases also renders braking particularly arduous.
Overall, there were several inherent design issues that inventors endeavored to overcome - restricted visibility, instability, challenging steering, and the peculiar phenomenon known as "gerbiling." As a monowheel rider relies on gravity to maintain balance, sudden acceleration or deceleration causes the rider to spin inside the machine akin to a pet gerbil in its wheel.
Regrettably (or perhaps fortunately?), the monowheel never gained widespread popularity. Nevertheless, even today, individuals continue to construct and try riding these machines, primarily for amusement. These scarce photographs capture the extraordinary monowheels of the past, resembling something straight out of a science fiction film.
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