Benjamin G. Bowden (American, born England 1907-1998). Spacelander Bicycle, Prototype designed 1946; Manufactured 1960. Fiberglass, metal, glass, rubber, fox fur, 36 x 40 x 18 in. (91.4 x 101.6 x 45.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Marie Bernice Bitzer Fund, 2001.36.
(Creative Commons-BY-NC)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What a looker, this streamlined curvilinear monocoque fiberglass bicycle was originally designed in 1946 by British-born American auto and bicycle designer Benjamin G. Bowden (1907–1998). Fourteen years later in 1960 it finally went into production but not for long; therefore, making these gems extremely rare and all the more desirable. The Spacelander weighs in at a hefty 50 pounds; it has a push button electric horn, electric headlights and tail lights—all powered by D cell batteries. The original model was also fitted with an electric motor that “gathered energy on the downhill and flat terrain and helped the rider climb hills. A number of bicycle manufacturers rejected the Spacelander as too exotic for mass marketing. But in recent years, collectors have paid as much as $15,000 for an example in good condition.” (NYT)
For those in the NYC area, you can see the Spacelander prototype at the Brooklyn Museum in the current exhibit, Thinking Big: Recent Design Acquisitions, which runs through May 29th. From the Brooklyn Museum website:
The Spacelander is a marvel of postwar biomorphic design. Its curving lines and amoeba-like voids represent the mutation of the prewar streamlined style into a new expression based on organic, rather than machine-made, forms. Although the prototype—made for a 1946 exhibition of British industrial design—was a critical success, Benjamin Bowden failed in his attempts to have it manufactured. By the time it finally went into production in the United States in 1960, tastes had changed and the price of the bicycle—$89.50—was too high. It is believed that only about five hundred examples were ever sold, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after industrial designs of the mid-twentieth century. When new, this bicycle was bright red; the color has faded over time.
[ Images © Brooklyn Museum ]
Thinking Big: Recent Design Acquisitions / Installation view
Brooklyn Museum, Digital Collections and Services
Mr. Bowden and his Spacelander / Photographer: WIENKE (Detroit News), 1960
(via Zaz Databaz)
Bowden Spacelander & Schwinn Phantom / Photographer: Kryszak (Detroit News), 1983
Pictured: James Hurd & Lori Eilber (via Zaz Databaz)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Learn more at National Bicycle History Archive of America and Mr. Bowden’s obit in the NYT. See beautiful historic images of Mr. Bowden showing off his 1946 prototype via the Hulton Archive at Getty Images.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Psst… to keep up to date:
- You can grab the
AQ-V RSS Feed - And follow
AQ-V on Twitter - And/or the
AQ-V Fan Page
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
