Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Retrospective Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 1-1-2005 The role of the bicycle in the development of early American streamlining Bradley D. Tierney Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd Recommended Citation Tierney, Bradley D., "The role of the bicycle in the development of early American streamlining" (2005). Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 20958. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/20958 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Retrospective Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The role of the bicycle in the development of early American streamlining by Bradley D. Tierney A thesis submitted to the graduate faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS Major: Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies Program of Study Committee: Frederic C. Malven, Major Professor Dennis W. Field Michael J. Barone Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 2005 Copyright© Bradley D. Tierney, 2005. All rights reserved. ll Graduate College Iowa State University This is to certify that the master's thesis of Bradley D. Tierney has met the thesis requirements of Iowa State University Signatures have been redacted for privacy Ill TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWARD v CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 2. OUR LONG RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BICYCLE 7 A Model for Mass Production 8 Ties to Transportation 9 CHAPTER 3. MARKETING OF THE MACHINE AESTHETIC 11 Form Follows Function: Industrial Design Irony and Contradiction 13 Chicago World's Fair: A Century of Progress Exposition, 1933-1934 21 "Streamlined vs. Stream-lined:" A Comprehensive Definition 31 CHAPTER 4. CASE STUDIES OF STREAMLINING LANDMARKS 41 Dymaxion Car, 1933 42 Loewy Pencil Sharpener, 1934 45 Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, 1933-34 47 "Cleanlining" 53 Sears "Toperator" Washing Machine, 1933 53 Standard Gas Equipment Company Stove, 1933 55 Sears "Coldspot" Refrigerator, 1934 57 Chrysler Airflow, 1934 61 CHAPTER 5. THE EXCHANGE OF INFLUENCE BETWEEN BICYCLE AND MOTORCYCLE: THE 'MOTORBIKE' 66 The Balloon Tire 79 CHAPTER 6. THE SCHWINN AEROCYCLE INTRODUCES STREAMLINING TO THE INDUSTRY: AN ANALYSIS 84 "Streamline Aerocycle" Arnold, Schwinn & Company, I 934 84 Elgin "Twin-Bar Falcon" & Columbia "Twinbar Airider-The Stream-lined Bicycle" Sears, Roebuck and Company, by Westfield Manufacturing Company, 1934 l 00 Streamline Bicycle Designs, Post-I 934 106 CHAPTER 7. CONCLUSION 113 IV APPENDIX A. PATENT LISTINGS 132 APPENDIX B. ADDITIONAL PATENT DOCUMENTATION 134 Articulated Rail Car or Similar Article (U.S. Patent No. Dl00,000, 1936) 135 Weighing Scale (U.S. Patent No. 2,047,681, 1936) 137 Streamline Power Vehicle (U.S. Patent No. 1,648,505, 1927) 141 Motor Vehicle (U.S. Patent No. 2,101,057, 1937) 145 Gas Stove Casing (U.S. Patent No. D90,108, 1933) 154 Bicycle (U.S. Patent No. 2,199,536, 1940) 157 Bicycle Tank (U.S. Patent No. Dl07,443, 1937) 166 Two-Wheeled Vehicle (U.S. Patent No. 2,147,732, 1939) 168 BIBLIOGRAPHY 172 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 180 v FOREWORD We subjectively accept the streamline as valid symbol for the contemporary life flow, and as a badge of design integrity in even smaller mechanisms, when it emerges as form expressiveness. - Sheldon and Martha Chandler Cheney Art and the Machine, 1936 l CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION While investigating a thesis topic, three areas of interest initially revolved around aspects of design, marketing and materials as related to the history of the bicycle. I had also always had a particular affinity for the products created during the art deco and streamlining era of design. 1broughout the literature review, it became increasingly apparent that the bicycle had influenced other diverse aspects of society, in addition to the integral role it played in mechanical development, transportation and product design. The long journey of identifying a thesis topic inevitably settled on a personal interest: antique and classic balloon tire bicycles. This thesis will explore the role that the bicycle played in the introduction and development of American streamlining, from functional, applied roots in major modes of transportation, to the subsequent use of the sty le in stationary objects. General history and all that lends itself to viewing the world from another time and place had always piqued my curiosity. It is through the remaining, preserved and restored artifacts of these time periods that we as observers, are allowed to revisit a time gone by in a most personal way. In a museum setting or otherwise, the displayed objects allow viewers to be transported to a time in which the given object was created. 1brough observation, we can see product evolution happen before our eyes. As times change, so do the products that represent them. As physical evidence, these products provide insight into what factors contributed to, and influenced their inception. The content analysis of historic literature is the basis for t~is research of the bicycles' role in the streamlining movement of the 1930s in America. A number of historical sources were examined to form a knowledge base that would frame the bicycle in the context of streamlining, relative to other objects dated from the same period of time. Portions of the research were compiled from several sources, while other information could only be substantiated by a single source. In this research, the bicycle as an object, is used as a cross­ referencing gauge to define a time when streamlining made a transition from the origin of use in 2 modes of transportation, into stationary objects of American industrial and/or product design culture. To accomplish the research, several categories of literature on the topic were identified and reviewed: publications dealing with the history of the bicycle in general, role in society, technological development, etc. Specifically, content analysis was done on early advertisements and promotional items of the many companies and cycles contributing to the development and use of streamlining in the industry. These advertisements typically featured "new developments" and latest trends representing style and design directions of the period. Considerable time was devoted to identifying and categorizing bicycles by style and general date of production, release, etc. Following that, substantial time was spent focusing on those models which fit in the ever-shrinking window of pertinent time period when streamlining was introduced to objects beyond the origin of the transportation industry. On a more general level of investigation, attention was given to publications and articles regarding the time period itself and societal events sparking the adaptation of streamlining to everyday products in the 1930s. With any historiography, pinpointing factual data regarding dates of product conceptualization and patent dates leading to eventual production release dates was of utmost importance in identifying and categorizing pertinent bicycles. Nothing was more rewarding and disheartening at the same time than seeking information, finding it, only to later identify a cross-reference proving the initial, assumed fact to be incorrect. Without significant, dependable and substantiated dates, any historical research is merely hearsay. In the search for provable, undeniable facts and dates in the context of historical research, few resources surpassed what was provided through patent documentation. Clearly and concisely, each patent illustrated product chronology through individual issue dates, and more importantly in this case, application dates. Application (filing) dates pertain to the time period when the idea was first conceived and refined to the degree the creator had envisioned, so as to be patented. U.S. Patent information provided an irrefutable part of this research and 3 documentation process. The product assessments included in this research owe much to the information provided by patents. It should be noted that even though APA citation requirements call for the listing of issue dates concerning patent information in the documentation of the paper, it is the application/filing dates that convey more pertinent facts in the context of this discussion. As a reference guide and for simplification in comparisons, a list of each patent, along with the corresponding filing and issue dates are included in Appendix A on page 133. As is the case with many aspects of the digital realm, the use of the internet as a research method can be both a blessing and a curse. There is an unending amount of information on every subject at the fingertips of anyone who is online today. With this wealth of data and the freedom of information exchange that accompanies it, comes an increased responsibility on the researcher's behalf, to be selective and certain of the sources providing the information in question. Beyond such caution however, the internet is an invaluable tool in research and communication. The resources needed to make contacts and do lead follow-ups were condensed through the convenience and bulk of information provided online. It truly has revolutionized communication, and consequently, made many aspects of this research process simpler. Internet resources also provided an eager audience of historians and bicycle aficionados with whom to consult. What began as page listings of websites dedicated to the preservation and restoration of antique and classic bicycles, were soon revealed as an information-rich network of enthusiasts aiding in and contributing to research results. For some initially, the subject matter seemed to be a tired and exhausted discussion of streamlining. Upon further review and discussion however, it was a subject ripe for investigation, suitable for determined and opinionated debate. In the specialized circles that make up the enthusiasts of any given hobby or collector trade, there are a dedicated number of individuals representing each brand of cycle. These are 4 the "Ford vs.