Whalen and Janssen Laminated Wood-Frame Bicycle

National Museum of American History
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Object Details

Janssen Piano Co., Inc.
Description
At the beginning of World War II, John T. Whalen, with Webster E. Janssen of the Janssen Piano Co., Inc., developed this laminated-wood-frame bicycle in order to conserve metal for the war effort. Wood subsequently proved to be more critical than metal, so the bicycle was not marketed. This bicycle weighs approximately 31 pounds. Its fork, saddle, handlebars, and elliptical frame are made of laminated wood, while the wheels are metal.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Webster E. Janssen
1942
ID Number
TR.313040
catalog number
313040
accession number
173992
Object Name
Bicycle
Other Terms
Bicycle; Road
See more items in
Work and Industry: Transportation, Road
America on the Move
Transportation
National Museum of American History
subject
Bicycling
Record ID
nmah_843032
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-5dce-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
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