Saturday 22nd December 1888

Felix Millet received a patent for a ‘Gasoline Bicycle’ named ‘Soleil’ (Sun). It had an extraordinary 5-engine incorporated into the rear wheel and developed 2/3 bhp, with a top speed of 34 mph. The five cylinders were mounted radially in the rear wheel, with the connecting rods directly attached to the fixed crank of the hollow-drilled rear axle. The rear fender served as a fuel tank; a surface carburetor and air filter were located between the wheels. Ignition was electric via combination Bunsen cell and induction coil. Millet used a rotating handlebar twistgrip for its operation. It was started with pedals so the motorcycle could be moved even after engine failure.