The winter of 1916 brought with it Appleton’s first snowmobile. Contemporaneous reports indicate the Appleton Police Department needed to get innovative while traversing the city’s snowy streets out on patrol:
“Police Department has obtained a Motor Sleigh. In order to combat the cold winter in getting around the city in a hurry up calls, Officer Deltgen has invented a new device which is being attached to his motorcycle. Deltgen obtained sleighs and attached them to his motorcycle and thus has made a motor sleigh. It is expected that the new vehicle will appear on the city streets within a few days.”
Here, Officer Al Deltgen is pictured showing off his new contraption to a couple of, presumably very jealous, Appleton Fire Department firefighters.
Looking at this for awhile I make out the siren and light on the front bumper. Chains on the Tire. Near the rear seat what looks like a brake, just a stick on a hinge. Maybe they used that for steering assist. She doesn't look like she would turn very well. What's the rocket shaped thing above the pistons? Gas tank/gravity fed? No handlebars, must be steering with his feet. Anything else you guys see?
“Police Department has obtained a Motor Sleigh. In order to combat the cold winter in getting around the city in a hurry up calls, Officer Deltgen has invented a new device which is being attached to his motorcycle. Deltgen obtained sleighs and attached them to his motorcycle and thus has made a motor sleigh. It is expected that the new vehicle will appear on the city streets within a few days.”
Here, Officer Al Deltgen is pictured showing off his new contraption to a couple of, presumably very jealous, Appleton Fire Department firefighters.
Looking at this for awhile I make out the siren and light on the front bumper. Chains on the Tire. Near the rear seat what looks like a brake, just a stick on a hinge. Maybe they used that for steering assist. She doesn't look like she would turn very well. What's the rocket shaped thing above the pistons? Gas tank/gravity fed? No handlebars, must be steering with his feet. Anything else you guys see?