Roper Steam Velocipede from 1869; one of the three "first" motorcycles (the motorcycle may have been an example of multiple discovery). 1:30 video of replica:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyw_smJ8VcE
And I believe this is the original, at the National Museum of American History:
Fullsize image: https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/h...e_fullsize.jpg
https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/h...velocipede.jpg
The inventer of the Roper Steam Velocipede, Sylvester H. Roper, also suffered the first recorded motorcycle fatality. Autopsy revealed the cause of death was heart failure. We don't know if Roper crashed and then his heart failed as a result of his head wound, or if, per the generally preferred story, that he was overcome by the sheer joy and exhilaration of riding one of the first motorcycles.
https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/h...e_obituary.jpg
More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roper_steam_velocipede
Previously:
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...242#post116057
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...335#post116470
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...0668#post72907
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...402#post101478
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...3144#post98163
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1900 restored Fowler steam traction engine
Steam-powered tanks
Steam locomotive drag racing