Motor Scooter Origins and Technology

Motor scooters are essentially the small vehicles withThe scooter was also attractive and convenient. This
small wheels and a low-powered gasoline enginewas because it was patterned after a bicycle which
mounted towards the rear of the vehicle. Towards thepeople were already familiar with. It had small wheels
end of the 19th century and the advent of the 20th,and could be easily cranked up by means of a "clutch"
technology was emerging which made it possible toon the side of the scooter. The engine was also
create motorized scooters. But the early versionssmaller as compared to other motorcycles which
were still powered by human strength.allowed for easier maintenance.
The scooter technology can be attributed to aThere are many different types of scooters today.
company in Shanghai where a gentleman by the nameSome are gas powered and others electric powered.
of Gino started working on the technology. He did thisThese serve different purposes as well because they
in response to the long commute hours which heare very versatile. Because of their motorcycle-like
found hinself engaged in. It took him over 5 years topattern, they are popular even though they have
perfect the engineering..smaller wheels. Their engines are also, lower-powered
The motivation behind this invention was the longengines unlike the motorcycle.
distances which Gino Tsai claims to have traversedOne of the most common type of scooter is the
every single day. These trips were actually made toversion that can be folded. These need not possess
the Razor motor factory where he worked as aan engine and have only two-wheeled models. They
mechanical engineer.are therefore used for traveling short distances. Their
You can imagine the impact that the new design hadmechanism is also easy to decipher with the process
especially in a country which was just then enteringof braking being located on the rear fender. Young
the Industrial Age with millions workers needing to getadults and also children are especially fond of this type
to and from work. The scooter sparked such interestmostly because it is sleek, fun, cheap and easy to
that Gino reported being inundated with orders to thestore.
extent that he was backed up for months!Then there is the electric scooter which uses a
There were a few reasons why the motor scooterbattery-powered engine. This is usually heavier and
was popular at its onset. One reason is that it islarger. They are also known to consume more power.
lightweight. The scooter, especially the Razor, wasTheir popularity stems from the fact that they are
made out of aluminum which has been known to beautomated although the folding scooters have been
very versatile. That is why it is used in theknown to travel longer distances. The electric cooker
manufacture of airplanes. This meant that the scootercan go distances of between 10 or 15 before the need
could be operated by anyone regardless of theirto recharge the battery.
strength.