At the end of the nineteenth century, the bicycle was both a means of travel and a showcase for new mechanical ideas. In 1896, Charles Metz built the Orient Oriten in Waltham, Massachusetts: a bicycle for ten riders. Conceived to draw attention to his Orient range, it made an unmistakable impression at cycling gatherings simply through its extraordinary length.
The Oriten was about seven metres long and weighed roughly 138 kilograms. Ten people pedalling together could set it moving at an impressive pace, although controlling such a long machine was difficult. Metz took it to bicycle meets and races around the United States. Rather than practical everyday transport, it was a striking demonstration of shared human power and the possibilities of bicycle construction.
The only surviving Oriten is now held by The Henry Ford. The museum says the bicycle is not currently on public display, but its collection record captures an unusual chapter in cycling history. At a time when manufacturers competed for attention, inventive engineering could matter as much as outright speed: one bicycle could become an event for ten riders and a crowd watching them.