A PAIR OF WIND WAGONS PART 1

BILL MILLIKEN AND TEDDY JAMESON were kindred spirits born two years apart, 1911 and 1913, respectively. Both were enamored of things mechanical; both were evidently inspired by Charles Lindbergh’s transatlantic solo in 1927. 

In 1928, Bill built the first of two Aero-Triple-Cycles, as in aero-inspired by a prop drive, triple by virtue—or vice—of its three wheels, and cycle suggesting its road-based mobility. He wrote about it in Equations of Motion: Adventure, Risk, and Innovation.

In 1929, Teddy built his own Wind Wagon, which had a prop providing its own wind and riding on three wheels. And 75 years later, Sam Posey wrote about “Crazy Teddy’s dream car,” in R&T, April 2004 (yes, another of R&T’s April Fools road tests). 

Here, in Parts 1 and 2 today and tomorrow, are tidbits gleaned from these two sources, together with my usual Internet sleuthing. 

Equations of Motion: Adventure, Risk, and Innovation, by William F. Milliken, Bentley Publishers, 2009.  

Bill’s Aero-Triple-Cycle(s). Indeed, Bill built two of them, between which he designed, constructed, and flew his M-1 parasol-wing monoplane. Of the plane Bill recounted, “Its flight characteristics displayed every form of aircraft instability and demonstrated how little I really knew.” He was 22 at the time. 

But, as described in Equations of Motion, the Aero-Triple-Cycle No. 1 “was an air-propelled hybrid. It was steered by a pair of front wheels, braked by a single wheel at the rear, and had a light, airplane-like structure. This 1928 machine served as my transition between ground and air vehicles.” 

And it certainly provided adventure for Bill and his pal Paul “Peanut” Spruce.

Paul “Peanut” Spruce. This and following images from Equations of Motion.

“Small, wiry and physically tough, Peanut had a gymnast’s build,” Bill said. “We were never bored with Peanut because we never were quite sure what he would do next.”     

The Aero-Triple-Cycle No. 1 Fires Up. Bill described, “Having chocked the wheels, I climbed aboard and switched the ignition to ‘off.’ Peanut then pulled the propeller through a couple of revolutions and called out ‘contact.’ ” 

“I switched on and set the throttle just off idle. He grasped the blade, swung his right leg across in the traditional fashion and pulled the blade down sharply. The engine backfired. Hanging on a fraction of a second too long, Peanut was picked up and toss into the bed of zinnias that lined the driveway.” 

“As usual he was unhurt and ready to battle the engine again. This time it started and ran like a song. The chain drive that geared the propeller down to about half engine speed worked perfectly. Still on the chocks, I revved a few times and felt the structure come to life. As I held the rear brake on, Peanut removed the chocks, keeping clear of the propeller arc.”

Bill recalled the Aero-Triple-Cycle No. 1 as one of his favorite machines.

A Not Unsuccessful First Drive. Bill continues, “Easing the machine down the sloping driveway, I crossed the sidewalk into the street, opened the throttle and picked up speed rounding the Brown’s corner. Peanut, who had been running after me, was left behind.…”

Start of the initial test run.

Then the Rain Came…. “As the rain began, visibility through the small windscreen became poor. In retrospect, I should have waited for better conditions but my enthusiasm took over.”

“Now it was rare for a car to park on Brunswick Street because the houses had long driveways, but on this occasion a Chevrolet with a California top was on the right-hand side of the roadway. The combination of rain, poor visibility and my concentration on the handling of the machine led me to pass too close to the Chevy.” 

“The propeller chewed up the California top and my right front wheel struck the car, breaking the Triple-Cycle’s axle support. A grinding stop followed.” 

“I have to say the responsibility was mine, but at the time I was mad as hell at the owner of that Chevy. He, in turn, as the only owner of a California top in Old Town, was equally mad. My father settled with him for $100 and I went back to work repairing the Triple-Cycle.”

“In due time,” Bill said, “I wrote up the Aero-Triple-Cycle, sent it to the Y.C. [Youth’s Companion] Lab and received a special award of $10 and full membership.”

Bill Milliken, 1911-2012. Rest his soul.

Tomorrow in Part 2, Sam Posey tells us about his Crazy Uncle Teddy. (As opposed to the completely rational Bill Milliken?) ds

© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2026