Invention: Steam-powered velocipede Country: United States Died: 1896 One of Boston's leading inventors in the 19th century, Sylvester H. Roper was responsible for some of the earliest automobiles, the shotgun choke, and a repeating shotgun. However, it was his Roper steam velocipede, argued to be the first ever motorcycle, that led to his demise. The Roper steam velocipede was made up of a standard bicycle with a steam engine attached, able to travel at up to 40mph. While honing the vehicle's design, Roper would ride the invention himself along the Charles River bicycle track. During the Roper steam velocipede's final journey, Roper was able to complete a mile in just over 2 minutes, vastly outpacing the local cyclists. However, during the final lap, Roper was observed to wobble and fall, found dead at the crash location. An autopsy revealed that he had died of a heart attack, although it was never discerned whether the crash caused the attack, or vice-versa. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t93QlgBu4Is
Invention: Steam-powered velocipede Country: United States Died: 1896 One of Boston's leading inventors in the 19th century, Sylvester H. Roper was responsible for some of the earliest automobiles, the shotgun choke, and a repeating shotgun. However, it was his Roper steam velocipede, argued to be the first ever motorcycle, that led to his demise. The Roper steam velocipede was made up of a standard bicycle with a steam engine attached, able to travel at up to 40mph. While honing the vehicle's design, Roper would ride the invention himself along the Charles River bicycle track. During the Roper steam velocipede's final journey, Roper was able to complete a mile in just over 2 minutes, vastly outpacing the local cyclists. However, during the final lap, Roper was observed to wobble and fall, found dead at the crash location. An autopsy revealed that he had died of a heart attack, although it was never discerned whether the crash caused the attack, or vice-versa. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t93QlgBu4Is