If shows like Jackass or Nitro Circus would have been a thing in 1912, then one of the most beloved contraptions would have been these crazy motorized roller skates. No, we would not want to personally try such a thing on, but you can imagine people using them would make for quite a spectacle.
The design is inspired by the work of a Frenchman called M. Constantini, according to Silodrome, whose skates had a 1.5 hp engine driving the larger wheel you see at the front, thus ensuring forward movement. This is was in 1906 and then later on, closer to 1912, another man called M. Mercier changed the design into the one you see in the photo.
His engines were slightly less powerful, at 1.25 hp each, but they still ensured a maximum speed of 30 km/h or 18 mph and a range closer to 50 km or 31 miles. Do note that only one skate per pair is powered.
Nowadays, electric hub motors can do the exact same thing, and powered skates aren’t that big a deal, but to have this mover 100 years ago? That’s pretty cool to consider! Inventors and engineers back then really didn’t know what was going to catch on, as the internal combustion engine was taking hold, so they tried all manner of wondrous ideas, these powered skates being the perfect embodiment of that desire to innovate.
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