Edward Langley Fardon
Edward Langley Fardon | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Fardon dated 1910 | |
| Born | 11 December 1839 |
| Died | 9 February 1926 (aged 86) Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Citizenship | British |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Known for | First demonstration of bicycle with wire-spoked wheels and rubber tyres. |
| Spouse | (Mary) Ann Cook (m. 7 September 1862) |
| Children | Nine |
Edward Langley Fardon (11 December 1839 – 9 February 1926) was an English whitesmith and engineer. He demonstrated the world's first all-metal bicycle with rubber tyres in Kenilworth in 1869, incorporating several new design features.
Biography[edit]
Fardon was born in Royal Leamington Spa to James Fardon, a blacksmith, and Mary Langley and was raised in Kenilworth.[1] He moved to nearby Stoneleigh in 1873, and died and was buried there at the age of 86.
Career[edit]
Fardon worked at his father's smithy until age 17 when he started at Francis Skidmore's workshop in Coventry. In 1858, Fardon made a 4.5-day walk to London to find employment at larger engineering workshops. He later produced metalwork at chateaus in Switzerland and Paris for Rothschild barons, and ornamental gates at Witley Court for the Earl of Dudley.[2] In 1862, his gates were exhibited at the International Exhibition in London.
Fardon inherited his father's business in 1865 and returned to Kenilworth to rebuild the family's workshop at Castle End. This same building hosted the town's first "motor spirit" (petrol) pump in 1921.
In later years, Fardon received several commissions on the Stoneleigh Abbey estate and local churches, including hot water and heating systems.
Bicycle innovations[edit]
Fardon had seen wooden cycles in Paris and was inspired to improve the principle of the wheels:
I had an idea that they should be in tension, not under compression[1]
— Edward Langley Fardon
In 1868–69, Fardon built his first "velocipede" with an iron frame, handbrake, sprung seat, footrest, and solid india rubber tyres and pedals. The "suspension wheel", as he called them, were constructed of iron rims with 16 steel spokes per wheel under tension. The rear wheel was 18 inches in diameter, and the 42-inch front wheel was larger for a smoother and faster ride.[2] In using the term "suspension wheels" Fardon was ahead of other innovators. Another early term for the wire wheel, "spider wheel", did not come into use until the 1870s and was a very generic term.[1]
Fardon did not apply for patents for his innovations.[1]
In early 1869, Fardon performed a 1.5-mile demonstration ride from Castle End in Kenilworth to Leek Wootton. On later rides into Coventry, crowds gathered to see his bicycle. After six months, he sold the machine for 20 sovereigns (£20) to Stoneleigh Abbey's chef, named Robandry, who took it to Paris.[3] Coventry went on to become a global leader in bicycle development and manufacturing.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Leach, Robin D. (2011). Kenilworth People and Places, Volume I. Rookfield Publications. pp. 62–66. ISBN 978-0-9552646-1-0.
- ^ a b "Blacksmiths of Stoneleigh". Stoneleigh History Society. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ "The First Bicycle". The Sportsmen's Review and Bicycle News. Sporting Review Publishing Co., Chicago. 1893. pp. 469–470.
- ^ Kimberley, D. (2015). Coventry's Bicycle Heritage. The History Press Ltd. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-752454498.