Benjamin Bowden (American,b. England) 1906-1998,Spacelander Bicycle designed 1946,manufactured circa 1960
Made by Bomard Industries Grand Haven,Michigan (20th century), fiberglass,chromed steel,rubber,other metals and vinyl
The aluminum prototype for this futuristic bicycle was handmade by MG Auto Company in England in 1946 and incorporated an ingenious dynamo that stored the downhill energy and released it on uphill runs.It was prohibitively expensive for consumer production,but in 1960 Bowden contracted with Bomard Industries in Michigan to produce this more mechanically conventional,one- speed version of the dynamic organic design in fiberglass,a new design material.Ultimately,the endeavor was too costly for Bomard Industries as well and the firm went out of business after only manufacturing only 522 examples.
Benjamin Bowden (American,b. England) 1906-1998,Spacelander Bicycle designed 1946,manufactured circa 1960
Made by Bomard Industries Grand Haven,Michigan (20th century), fiberglass,chromed steel,rubber,other metals and vinyl
The aluminum prototype for this futuristic bicycle was handmade by MG Auto Company in England in 1946 and incorporated an ingenious dynamo that stored the downhill energy and released it on uphill runs.It was prohibitively expensive for consumer production,but in 1960 Bowden contracted with Bomard Industries in Michigan to produce this more mechanically conventional,one- speed version of the dynamic organic design in fiberglass,a new design material.Ultimately,the endeavor was too costly for Bomard Industries as well and the firm went out of business after only manufacturing only 522 examples.