Wolverhampton's cycle industry began in the 1860s - a brief discussion of its' history can be found here. The advertising leaflets of the Hart Cycle Company claim that the business was established in 1862, but there seems to be no evidence to substantiate this. In the 1871 and 1881 censuses the occupation of William Edward Hart (Senior), who founded the company, was given as Key Maker (1871) and Brass & Iron Founder (1881) - in 1891 it was given as Manager at Cycle Works, and Cycle Manufacturer in 1901. The 'Majestic Works' was situated at 38 Darlington Street. Sons William Edward (Junior), Adelbert and Cecil all worked in the business - William as a Cycle Engineer and Salesman, Adelbert as a Cycle Enameller (he later became a photographer) and Cecil as a Cycle Mechanic. No doubt one of them in shown in the photo opposite.

William Jnr. travelled to both America and Europe (particularly France) selling the large range of cycles the company produced - many of the brochures were written in both English and French. A newspaper article indicates he rode the first bicycle fitted with pneumatic tyres ever seen in America, and invented a cycle which could support a ton weight. The company had a number of patents registered with the Patent Office.     Hart Cycle Company .. Tool shop

Click images to view pages of an 1896 brochure (in separate window) ..

A Gold Medal was awarded at the 1892 Tasmanian and International Exhibition for 'Highest Quality, Elaborate Finish and Cheapness of Exhibit'. Although the business appears to have folded in Wolverhamption prior to William Snr's death (1905), later company brochures also indicate other Gold Medals being awarded in 1902 and 1904, which would suggest that the timespan between operations at Wolverhampton and Barton-on-Humber, where William Jnr. re-established the business under the name of the Hart Cycle and Vehicle Company, was not too great.