{"id":8854,"date":"2016-02-04T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-02-04T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/museonicolis.com\/?p=8854"},"modified":"2024-02-09T16:24:05","modified_gmt":"2024-02-09T15:24:05","slug":"biciclo-a-leve-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.museonicolis.com\/en\/biciclo-a-leve-star\/","title":{"rendered":"Smith Machine Co, 1881\/85, Star model lever"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0Smith Machine Co., STAR model lever, USA, <\/strong>1881\/85<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Patented in\u00a01880<\/strong>, the STAR<\/strong> safety bicycle was put into production in the spring of 1881 by\u00a0Smith Machine Co.<\/strong>\u00a0from Smithville,\u00a0New Jersey<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The STAR name derives from the double<\/strong> star<\/strong> made by the spokes on the early models; the vehicle has a\u00a0big rear wheel and a small front wheel<\/strong>\u00a0to guarantee a higher safety and limit the risk of falling off (something common with the high wheelers).<\/p>\n

Hence the \u201csafety<\/strong>\u201d name, that combined with the performance made it successful. The Star was the first American<\/strong> safety<\/strong> bicycle <\/strong>and maybe the only bicycle innovation provided by the US.<\/p>\n

The anecdotes report that for its \u201csafety\u201d, it was considered a valid vehicle for the most extravagant<\/strong> challenges, such as\u00a0going down the stairs <\/strong>of the Washington Capitol Building di Washington, or playing polo!<\/p>\n

The original lever system guaranteed a fast acceleration, an interesting characteristic for customers with racing desires.<\/p>\n

Spoon brake on the rear wheel
\nLever propulsion
\nHandmade forged frame<\/p>\n\r\n\r\n \r\n