Pentacycle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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A pentacycle ("hen and chickens") is a human-powered five-wheeled vehicle.
The original pentacycle was designed and patented by the architect Edward Burstow in 1882.[1][2] It had a large central wheel directly driven by pedals like a penny-farthing bicycle, with a "bath-chair type handle", and four smaller wheels for stability.[2] This arrangement led to it being referred to as the "hen and chickens" cycle, as it resembled a mother hen surrounded by her four chicks. It was trialled by rural postmen in Horsham and, although liked, the design was not widely adopted.[1] There is a replica in the British Postal Museum.[3]
