Flügelrad

The Flügelrad is a type of bicycle wheel that was designed in the late 19th century. It was invented by Eugenio Barsanti, an Italian engineer, and Gustave Trouvé, a French inventor. The wheel features a radial arm, which serves as a wing-like appendage, converting the kinetic energy of the rider's pedaling motion into a lift force.

The primary purpose of the Flügelrad was to use the principles of cyclic thermodynamics to create forward motion without the need for pedals. This was done by using a lever arm attached to the front wheel, which used the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the wheel to create a controlled increase in speed.

The design of the Flügelrad consists of a conventional bicycle wheel with a flat, curved wing attached to the front hub. The wing is hinged to the center of the wheel, allowing it to oscillate back and forth as the wheel rotates. This oscillation creates a vacuum effect above the wing, which generates a lift force that propels the bicycle forward.

Despite its innovative design, the Flügelrad never achieved widespread popularity. Modern-day bicycle designers and engineers see little practical application for this concept, citing concerns about stability and safety. However, the Flügelrad remains an interesting footnote in the history of cycling technology. Even though it failed to gain traction, it demonstrates the creative problem-solving and experimentation that continue to drive bicycle innovation to this day.

Experimental use of the Flügelrad ended soon after its development, with most examples of the wheel now found in historical collections and archives.