In 1931, German engineer Herr Richter added 12 rockets to his bicycle to create his "Raketenrad." The white box on the frame contained the battery used to ignite the rockets, all solid fuel. Richter tested it on the Avus racetrack in Berlin. When he reached a speed of 55 mph, he lost control and was thrown off as the rockets exploded. Richter was not seriously injured.
The 1930s also saw the first rocket bicycle race, held in Berlin Stadium.
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| March 23, 1931. German engineer Herr Richter and his Raketenrad (rocket bicycle) with 12 rockets mounted on the back wheel, enabling him to reach a speed of 90 kph before the machine exploded. Richter was thrown off but not seriously hurt. |
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| March 24, 1931. German engineer Richter with his assistant adjusting the rockets on his cycle before a test drive. |
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| March 24, 1931. German engineer Richter with his assistant adjusting the rockets on his cycle before a test drive. |
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| Herr Richter sets off, accompanied by a car carrying a movie camera. |
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| The end of the rocket bicycle run. Herr Richter cautiously approaches his fallen machine. |
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| A race between three rocket cyclists, 1929 |
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| Rocket cyclists pedalling away in a cloud of smoke, c. 1930 |
(via
Mashable/ Retronaut)
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