Simpson Chain
The
Simpson Chain or
Simpson Lever Chain was an
English-made
bicycle chain invented by William Spears Simpson in
1895. The design of this chain departed radically from the standard roller bicycle chain. The chain was composed of linked triangles forming two "levels". The inner level was driven by the
chainring and the outer level drove the rear
cog. Instead of teeth, the chainring and cog had grooves into which the rollers of the chain engaged.
Mr. Simpson made, widely discredited, claims that the levers of this chain provided a mechanical advantage that could amplify the energy produced by the
cyclist. Racing teams were sponsored amid much fanfare as Mr. Simpson hired top cyclists (such as
Constant Huret, who is depicted in Lautrec's famous advertisement, and Tom Linton of
Paris-Bordeaux fame) and the
Gladiator Pacing Team from
France to race for high stakes in England for the
Chain Matches. His teams were largely successful.
This invention would probably have been long forgotten except that:
* The Simpson Chain is portrayed in a famous work of the French
art nouveau artist
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.
* The Simpson Lever Chain Racing Team employed the
Belgian cyclist Helene Dutrieu, who later became the first woman licensed to fly an
airplane in
Europe.
* Mr. Simpson's promotions were so widespread and effective that much of his promotional material is collected today.
Known in the
German language as der
Simpson Hebel-Kette.
Known in the
French language as la
ChaÎne a Levier Simpson.
*
Further information regarding the Simpson Chain*
Conseil des Musées de Poitou-Charentes
