Spacelander Bicycle
Brooklyn Museum photograph
Object Label
The Spacelander is a marvel of postwar biomorphic design. Its curving lines and amoeba-like voids represent the mutation of the prewar streamlined style into a new expression based on organic, rather than machine-made, forms. Although the prototype—made for a 1946 exhibition of British industrial design—was a critical success, Benjamin Bowden failed in his attempts to have it manufactured. By the time it finally went into production in the United States in 1960, tastes had changed and the price of the bicycle—$89.50—was too high. It is believed that only about five hundred examples were ever sold, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after industrial designs of the mid-twentieth century. When new, this bicycle was bright red; the color has faded over time.
Caption
Benjamin G. Bowden American, born England 1907–1998. Spacelander Bicycle, Prototype designed 1946; Manufactured 1960. Fiberglass, metal, glass, rubber, fox fur, 44 x 77 x 32 in. (111.8 x 195.6 x 81.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Marie Bernice Bitzer Fund, 2001.36. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2001.36_SL1.jpg)
Designer
Manufacturer
Title
Spacelander Bicycle
Date
Prototype designed 1946; Manufactured 1960
Geography
Place manufactured: Grand Haven, Michigan, United States
Medium
Fiberglass, metal, glass, rubber, fox fur
Classification
Dimensions
44 x 77 x 32 in. (111.8 x 195.6 x 81.3 cm)
Markings
On shaped metal tag on frame beneath handlebars: "BOW / DEN". On metal tag behind seat: "BOMARD INDUSTRIES, INC. / KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI / U.S.PAT.NO. 2,537,325 / Canadian Pat. No. 1951 / SERIAL NO. [engraved] B009905"
Credit Line
Marie Bernice Bitzer Fund
Accession Number
2001.36
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.
Frequent Art Questions
Is this influenced by Surrealism?
This bicycle actually falls under the category of, "Biomorphic Design." Its curving lines and amoeba-like voids represent the mutation of the prewar streamlined style into a new expression based on organic, rather than machine-made, forms. The use of organic shapes by artists and designers began in the 1930s and continued through the 1950s (probably a reason why this design was not popular by the time it was manufactured in the 1960s). These irregular, organic shapesconveyed one of two things for people: either the "primitive and archaic" or "progressive modernism"(modernism articulated by the use of nature as a model). Prewar Surrealism provided the stepping-stones for postwar biomorphism to come about as an art and design motif.A fun fact, the Museum actually made the addition of the foxtails to the handles! It didn't come that way when we acquired it and the addition was inspired by the tradition of kids in the 1950s putting raccoon tails on their bike handles, inspired by Davy Crocket's hat.What is the fur for?
The fur is merely for decoration! It was actually added by the Museum after the bicycle was collected inspired by a common practice in the 1950s where kids would put animal hails on their handlebars. Generally, these were raccoon tails inspired by Davy Crocket.When was the Spacelander Bicycle built?
It was designed in 1946 and a prototype was made, but the Spacelander didn't go into production until 1960. Its molded fiberglass design was very innovative and was patented by the designer, Benjamin Bowden.It was only manufactured for one year, with only about 500 models sold before Bomard Industries went bankrupt in 1961. It was available in five colors and this one was called "Stop Sign Red." It has faded over time!What a sweet ride!
It certainly is! This bike known as Spacelander Bicycle by Benjamin G. Bowden is an example of Postwar biomorphic design, which utilized organic, curvilinear forms. The bicycle included innovative features like the use of durable fiberglass, a motor and electric lights.Only about 500 models were made because it was costly and out of style by the time it was in production in 1960. So while it is a sweet ride, it is also a rare and special ride.Must be why I like it.You have excellent taste in rare bikes then!How heavy is this bike?
The frame of this bicycle designed by Benjamin Bowden weighs 50 pounds. It's made of fiberglass, which is a lighter material than other materials (like some metals) used in bicycles.Speaking of the intersection between art and commerce (and practicality), how could someone ride this bike?
Good question! Bowden's Spacelander Bicycle, while cool, is a bit impractical. . .Only about 500 models were made because it was costly and out of style by the time it was in production.However, the bike made use of new materials and technology like fiberglass, a motor, and electric lights.What's this?
The Spacelander bicycle was absolutely revolutionary for its time! You can see it incorporated the futuristic curves of mid-century and design and it even has an electric motor!It unfortunately didn't sell very well because it was quite expensive and it took so long to produce (from the time it was designed to the time it hit the market) that it was already out of style by the time it was available for purchase.Is this possible to ride like a usual bicycle?
Yes, absolutely! The design uses from new forms in its shape for the time it was designed, but it was intended to be ridden. The frame is made of fiberglass.This bicycle was designed by Benjamin Bowden in 1946, although it wasn't manufactured until 1960. Only about 500 models were made.We were wondering how this bicycle design stores downhill energy and uses it when going uphill.
In the body of bicycle, there is a electric hub dynamo that stores the rotational energy from the wheels and re-utilizes it to reduce the amount of pedaling required.Is that animal fur on the handlebars?
Yes, it is. They were added to the bicycle as decoration after it entered the museum's collection, to reflect the style active in the 1950s and early 1960s. Children would add animal tails to their bikes.Wow I had no idea that was a thing. ThanksFashion moves in mysterious ways! You're welcome!I want this bicycle.
The Spacelander Bicycle is pretty great, I agree! It was designed in 1946 and manufactured in 1960. At the time, its use of fiberglass was very modern. If you can believe it, the fiberglass was originally an even brighter red that has faded over time. Since it was an expensive model to produce, only 500 were made! The horn and the electric lights were powered by batteries.This is so cool!
The bicycle included materials and features that were very new for bikes in 1946, when it was designed. durable fiberglass, a motor and electric lights all convey the spirit of the "Space Age" in American history, and its curvy lines and smooth shapes sort of evoke space travel!I'd like to know more about the awesome bike.
Pretty cool right? The bike, designed by Benjamin G. Bowden, is an example of Postwar (WWII) bimorphic design, which utilized organic, curvilinear forms. The bike included innovative features like the use of durable fiberglass, a motor, and electric lights. Because it was so expensive, only about 500 models were made. They also took so long to produce that they were out of style by the time they went into production in 1960. (The prototype was designed in 1946.)Dime algo de esta bicicleta.
¡La bicicleta Spacelander fue absolutamente revolucionaria para su época! Puedes ver que incorpora las curvas futuristas del diseño de mediados del siglo 20 e incluso tiene un motor eléctrico. Desafortunadamente no se vendió muy bien porque era tan cara y la producción se tardó muchísimo, hací que ya estaba fuera de moda cuando por fin se podría comprarla.Do you know if the Spacelander name was selected when the bike was designed in the forties, or was it named in the sixties when it was manufactured? A name like "Spacelander" sounds super sixties.
It looks like the name was chosen when it was put into production as an allusion to the Space Race. You're right!Cool! Good job, me!
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