In 1898 the Elevated Cycle Railway was invented by W. H. Martin. Look closely and you will see two seats and one set of peddles. This same design has been reinvented in New Zeland today as high speed modern variation called the Shweeb.
Mr. Martin writes, "What I claim as my invention is an elevated-track cycle, the combination with the cycle-frame, of the equalizing straps or braces extended from an upper portion of the cycle-frame, above the track, to a portion of the said frame below the track and adapted to equalize the weight on both ends of the cycle-axles, enabling the track to support heavy weights, substantially as described."
112 years later Google decided to invest $1 million in this same basic design today know as the Shweeb peddle powered monorail. The Shweeb monorail uses recumbent cycle technologies and is much more streamlined but the basic principles are the same. Often new inventions are just simplified redesigns of old ideas that stand the test of time and fundraising comes in smaller amounts. Is your invention timeless and in its most simplified form?Nail It Then Scale It on Page 24 Says:
"As an example of how much invention is available, university patents have increased by 1600% in the last thirty years. In just the past eleven years there has been a 439% increase in the number of total patent applications in the U.S. This means that just in terms of patented inventions there are probably many useful inventions available." Read the new Startup Book
