Motorised Perambulators

Left: Motorised perambulator in England: 1921-23 This is the Dunkley Pramotor, introduced in 1921, or 1923 according to some sources. The Pramotor was a scooter attached to the rear of a large baby pram, and the intrepid nanny rode standing astride the engine on the scooter platform. Early versions were powered by a 1 HP horizontal single-speed two-stroke engine. It was manufactured by W.H. Dunkley of Birmingham, UK. There is more info here. This is clearly a genuine 5-wheeled vehicle, in the 4+1 format. They are rare but you can see some in the N-wheel car gallery of the Museum. Ooh-er, is that a golliwog in the pram?

Left: Motorised perambulator in England: 1921-23 This was clearly taken on the same photoshoot. Note the heavyweight wheels on the pram to carry the weight of the scooter attachment.

Left: Electric motorised perambulator in England: 1921 All that is currently known is that this is a Mrs P Mackenzie, in charge of an electrically-powered perambulator. It has been said it was the invention of a clergyman, The electric motor is visible at lower left just above the smaller wheel. There seems to be a gear-reduction drive from motor to axle. The battery is the box under the centre of the pram body. There seems to be two switches on the handbar.

Left: Motorised perambulator in England: 20?? Plumber Colin Furze added an engine to a silver metal pushchair, giving it a top speed of 50mph. It is called the Megapram. As with the Dunkley Pramotor, the driver stands on a trailer at the rear. The engine installation includes a pneumatically-powered gear-change. He has a YouTube channel here. There is also a website page here.

Left: Motorised perambulator in England: 20?? Before you panic, there is no actual baby in the pram. Now, this is also a five-wheeled vehicle, in the 3+2 format.

Left: The Kiddyboost perambulator attachment: now Here is the Kiddyboost! This is the linear descendent of the Pramotor. It is a single-wheel trailer powered by an electric motor and storage battery. Clearly a five-wheeled vehicle.

Left: The Kiddyboost perambulator attachment: now As you can see, triplets are catered for. Another five-wheeled vehicle. More numerous multiple births are not catered for.