Who was first?????

Perraux, Daimler or Copeland?? Several countries claim to be homeland of the inventor of the motorcycle.
From the Marcus cart (Austria 1870), based on the principle of the explosion movement invented by Huygens, via the Otto principle to Daimler's Einspur (1885) is regarded by most of us as the real way to the motorcycle.

The first and second version of the Marcus auto-moving cart on a block of Guinee-Bissau (2008)

But in the USA Sylvester H. Roper from Boston counts as the real inventor of the motorized bicycle. His two-wheeler rode, driven by a machine, his rounds already in 1867. Okay, it was propelled by a steam engine, but that was also called "motor" at that time.

Here a later, improved version of the Roper

The French on the other hand find that their Louis-Guillaume Perreaux (1816-1889) earns this honour.
Louis Perraux, son of the inventor of the compact steam engine Pierre Perraux, built this machine onto a Michaux vélocipède (although there are sources that say that it was his brother Ernest) and with this the first "motorcycle" was born.

This machine is now depicted on a block with the theme "bicycle" from Congo, issued on December 26th 2003, and is erroneously called "Draisine" by the designer, who is obviously not very well acquainted with this subject. Off course the Draisine is the first foot-pushed bicycle, invented by Freiherr Von Drais.

Later Perraux en Michaux dedicated themselves to the more stable alcohol fired belt driven 3-wheelers. The propelling force of the 3-wheeler was not brought onto the rear wheels, but with a disk system to the single front wheel.

In the residence of the Perraux, Almenêches (district Orne, France), a small monument was unveiled in June 2016. A replica of the steam-vélocipède has been installed on top of a pillar, with a sign with explanation.
The money for the monument was collected by the local inhabitants (just less than 700). The monument is located in front of the local restaurant.

Also in the French philately attention had been paid to the invention of Perraux, however at that time Michaux was erroneously named as the inventor. In 1970, 100 year invention of the motorcycle, a special cancellation postmark was used in Bar-le-Duc, here shown on a card that was specially printed for this occasion.

Envelop with the Michaux cancellation

Thus.... who gets the honour from you?

Hans de Kloet

Top   -   Back to former page   -   Home