On 17 July 1993, Scottish cyclist Graeme Obree covered 51.596 kilometres in an hour at Hamar velodrome in Norway. His world record came aboard the bicycle he had built himself: Old Faithful.
Obree made a narrow bottom bracket using washing-machine bearings. His posture mattered too: bent arms tucked beneath his chest reduced aerodynamic drag. Bicycle and riding position were developed as one solution.
Chris Boardman surpassed the record six days later. Obree reclaimed it in Bordeaux in 1994, reaching 52.713 kilometres. He also became individual pursuit world champion in 1993 and 1995.
After the UCI banned his tuck, Obree developed the arms-forward Superman position; that was subsequently banned too. Old Faithful is preserved at the National Museum of Scotland, a reminder of an athlete who sought speed in the workshop as well.