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Image Licensing : Joseph Tangye (1826-1902) on a velocipede, probably Wolverhampton, West Midlands. Around 1870
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Joseph Tangye (1826-1902) on a velocipede, probably Wolverhampton, West Midlands. Around 1870
The velocipede in the photograph is very similar to the one in the collection of the Royal Cornwall Museum (TRURI : 1937.34). Tangyes Cornwall Works in Birmingham built large numbers of velocipedes, paying a royalty to the French Velocipede Company in order to make the bicycles. The five sons of Joseph Tangye senior, an Illogan miner, commenced their engineering and manufacturing business together in Birmingham in 1856. James (1825-1912), the eldest, was very skilled with the lathe; Joseph (1826-1902) was the creative engineer; Richard (1833-1906) dealt with public relations and sales; George (1835-1920) was the businessman; while Edward (1832-1909), a Quaker, soon left to found his own business. Velocipedes, also known as Boneshakers, due to their iron tyres, were one of the many things that were manufactured at the Cornwall Works. The business also provided the hydraulic rams required to launch the Great Eastern, Brunels ill-fated steel ship in 1857-1858, and to raise Cleopatras Needle to its present position on the London Embankment in 1878. The first direct-acting steam pumps in Europe were made at the Cornwall Works in 1867 and the firm produced James Tangyes horizontal steam engines from 1869. By 1876 the firm employed 1300 workers. The Tangyes were also philanthropists and from 1880 were founders and major benefactors of the Birmingham Art Gallery and Museum and the Birmingham School of Art. Photographer: Edward Hill, 39, Darlington Street, Wolverhampton. Royal Cornwall Museum is the UK's Greatest Museum For Cornish Life & Culture. © From the collection of the RIC
TRURI : TTbcc.2
Media ID 18391513
Filename: TRURI-TTbcc-2.tiff
Size: 8125 x 14116 (20.8MB)
Date: 15th February 2019
Source: Royal Cornwall Museum
County: West Midlands
Location Name: 52.585330, -2.131930
Personality Transport Cornishman Cycle
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures Joseph Tangye, a prominent figure in the engineering and manufacturing industry during the late 19th century. Taken around 1870 in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, the image showcases Tangye confidently riding a velocipede - an early version of a bicycle with iron tires known as Boneshakers. Joseph Tangye was part of the renowned Tangyes Cornwall Works based in Birmingham. Alongside his four brothers, he established this successful business venture in 1856. Each brother brought unique skills to the table; James excelled at working with lathes, Richard handled public relations and sales, George managed business affairs, while Edward eventually ventured out to establish his own enterprise. The Cornwall Works manufactured various products such as velocipedes and hydraulic rams for significant projects like launching Brunel's Great Eastern ship and raising Cleopatra's Needle on London Embankment. In addition to these achievements, they also produced Europe's first direct-acting steam pumps in 1867 and James Tangyes' horizontal steam engines from 1869. Beyond their entrepreneurial success, the Tangye family were philanthropists who played instrumental roles in founding and supporting institutions like the Birmingham Art Gallery and Museum as well as the Birmingham School of Art from 1880 onwards. Photographed by Edward Hill of Darlington Street fame in Wolverhampton (not affiliated with any company), this remarkable image serves as a testament to Joseph Tangye's innovative spirit and contributions to both industry and society during this transformative era.
