Eccentric-hub scooter facts for kids
An eccentric-hub scooter is a special two-wheeled vehicle that you power yourself. Unlike a regular scooter, its large back wheel has a hub (the center part) that is not in the middle. To make it go, the rider bounces up and down or rocks back and forth on the scooter's platform.
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How Does an Eccentric-Hub Scooter Work?
This scooter works by using the rider's bouncing motion. When you bounce on the platform, it makes the off-center rear wheel turn. This unique movement pushes the scooter forward. One early inventor called it a 'galloping scooter' because the rider's motion looks a bit like riding a horse! Even though the motion is smooth and doesn't cause much impact, it's generally not as fast or efficient as a regular bicycle. These scooters are also not designed for riding uphill.
The History of Eccentric-Hub Scooters
Eccentric-hub scooters have an interesting past with a few different names and designs over the years.
The Ingo-Bike
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The idea for eccentric-hub cycles appeared in patents as early as 1928. But the most famous early version was called the "Exercycle." It was patented in 1934 by brothers Phillip and Prescott Huyssen. From 1934 to 1937, a company called Ingersoll Steel & Disc Co. (part of BorgWarner) made these scooters. They sold them under the name "Ingo-bike."
The Ingo-bike became quite popular thanks to many events and promotions. For example, a group of Ingo-bike riders once traveled from Chicago to Miami in just 30 days in the late 1930s! Production of the Ingo-bike stopped when the factory started making weapons for World War II. Phillip Huyssen kept working on new designs for many years, even into the 1970s. You might have even seen an Ingo-bike in an old movie! In the The Three Stooges film Yes, We Have No Bonanza, the character Curly rides one up to a saloon.
The Kangaroo Scooter
The eccentric-hub scooter concept was brought back in the 1960s as a children's scooter, called the "kangaroo scooter." These scooters were made in Taiwan and sold by a company in California. They featured the special off-center rear wheel, a front brake, shiny chrome fenders, and a kickstand.
More recently, a company called Knoxcooter Inc. in Canada started making another version of the Kangaroo Scooter around 2004. This newer design has a unique single-sided support for the rear wheel and disc brakes. It also has a special clutch in the rear hub. This clutch lets the rider coast (roll without bouncing) for a while. This modern "Eco-Fav" scooter is even efficient enough to ride uphill! Many riders enjoy using it on inclines to get a better workout.
Other Designs
There are other similar ideas too! The 'Bounce-Bike' is a bit different because it has an eccentric front wheel and a smaller rear wheel. Since the 1990s, Peter Wagner has created many different versions called "whymcycles." The name comes from the word 'whimsical,' meaning playful or unusual. He has made dozens of these unique scooters.
