Monowheels, a distinctive form of transportation that captivated attention despite various design issues from 1860 to 1930. The first patented monowheel was created in 1869 by French inventor Richard C. Hemmings, featuring a large wheel resembling a giant ball with a seat inside, but it actually had two wheels – the large one and a smaller one underneath. Drivers would pedal to move the small wheel, which in turn moved the large wheel. However, single-wheeled vehicles were seen as impractical and challenging to use for most people during this time.
As the 20th century approached, inventors began to experiment with motorized unicycles, incorporating airplane propellers to aid movement. These designs did not make it to full-scale production. Magazines in the 1930s started featuring one-wheeled vehicle designs that resembled cars and could transport several passengers. Dr. JA Purves created the most well-known design called the Dynasphere in 1932, a motorized vehicle that could reach speeds of 25-30 km/h. Despite Purves’ belief that unicycles were the simplest form of motorized transportation, the Dynasphere faced stability and design issues and never reached the expected success.
Monowheels are unique from unicycles as riders sit inside the wheel, creating a giant ball bearing effect for propulsion. Despite their distinct concept, monowheels face various challenges such as control and steering difficulties due to lack of additional wheels for support; braking is also tricky with powerful engines; steering can become cumbersome; and there is always the risk of drivers spinning uncontrollably inside the wheel under abrupt acceleration or braking (the “gerbil” phenomenon).
Today, monowheels are not widely adopted as a standard mode of transportation but are still enjoyed by enthusiasts who appreciate their novelty and unique design for entertainment purposes only.
