November History Bit: What in the world is a penny-farthing?

In this month’s History Bit, we honor the big bicycle with the funny name: the penny-farthing. 

If you’ve ever visited the Webster Museum, chances are you’re already familiar with the penny-farthing. It’s that old-fashioned bicycle with the big front wheel and little back wheel that sits in a case just inside the museum’s front door.  

It’s such an iconic piece of Webster history that many years ago it was chosen as the logo for the Webster Museum, and more recently, as the name for the museum’s new members and friends newsletter. 

More about that later, but first, a little history.  

The penny-farthing, or high-wheel bicycle, was invented in 1871 by the British engineer James Starley. Its name comes from the large disparity in size between the front and rear wheels, which resembled the British penny and farthing coins. This was the first efficient bicycle, replacing the velocipede or “bone shaker,” a pedal-driven cycle with wooden or metal wheels that was uncomfortable due to the lack of shock absorption. What made the penny-farthing better was its large front wheel, which allowed for greater speed.

In 1976, the Neuert family donated a penny-farthing to the newly created Webster Through the Years Museum. It was built around 1877 and was purchased by Marion’s father-in-law, Jacob Neuert for $49.50 in the 1890s. Jacob passed the bicycle onto his son, Ray, who attempted to ride it in the Webster Centennial Parade in 1940. Unfortunately, a loose tire sent Ray “over the top,” resulting in several broken toes. More recently, the penny-farthing was ridden by descendants of the Neuert family in several Webster parades.

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen the penny-farthing ridden in one of our parades, but its memory is being honored again as the title of a brand new members and friends newsletter penned and designed by Webster Museum volunteers. 

The Penny-Farthing, introduced in October, is packed with historical photos and stories, event notices, and information about the museum. The next issue will be published this month, then every few months in the new year. If you’d like to be added to the distribution list, email WebsterMuseum@gmail.com. And if you’d like to see last month’s edition, click here.

Stop in and see the penny-farthing for yourself at the Webster Museum, 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster (and imagine trying to ride it!). The museum is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

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(posted 11/11/2024)