HB Smith Co. 42" Pony Star Smithville N.J. 1889
The Star, a uniquely American solution for the dreaded “header”, was introduced in 1880. Its success came by moving the small wheel to the front. The levers drove the driver wheel with an up and down motion from the rider’s legs. Both levers could be depressed simultaneously for a burst of speed or could be “galloped” along like a horse. The Star won many hill climb competitions. A rider could stand up on the pedals out of the saddle to climb. To demonstrate the safety of the Star the manufacturer had a factory rider successfully descend the steps to the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.