What specific motor configuration did Ogden Bolton Jr. use in his 1897 electric bicycle patent?
Answer
A 10-cell, 10-ampere DC hub motor
Ogden Bolton Jr.'s patent from 1897 detailed a remarkably modern approach to electric propulsion by incorporating the motor directly within the wheel structure. Specifically, his design utilized a powerful 10-cell, 10-ampere DC motor integrated into the rear wheel hub. This concept of an in-hub motor remains a prevalent feature in contemporary electric bicycles due to its efficiency and integration capabilities. Although the technology was advanced for its time, the practical application was severely limited by the inefficient, heavy lead-acid batteries that provided very short ranges, relegating the invention to a niche novelty.
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