Research is Expanding

Over recent years, research has (and quite rightly so) progressed here at the Museum. Material held in our archive is so varied and rich that looking far more closely at such material enables us to better understand our collection and those who were behind many of hundreds of cycle and motor companies to have existed in Coventry.

Last year, Coventry’s Motorcycle Heritage (The History Press ISBN 978-0-7509-5125-8) – a book detailing all known motorcycle makers in Coventry was released. Click here to buy the book - A High percentage of the historical information, sales material and photographs were extracted from what we have stored in our archive. This book is a great example of previously untold information.
Two further publications are planned for release over the next few years. The first will detail Coventry’s motorcar manufacturers, and the latter (the biggest project to date) covers the cycle manufacturers, which so far lists over 400 separate companies known to have existed in the City from 1868.

Outside the three confirmed, there is so much more information obtainable that can be researched, compiled and made available to the public. Many sometimes forget that it was not just cycles and motors that were made in Coventry. There were hundreds of other businesses that existed to support the trades including coach builders, engine builders, enamellers, platers, stampers etc. There were also makers of chains, saddles, radiators, magnetos, ball bearings, mud-guards, dress-guards, machine tools, hubs, to mention but a few – but it gives an insight as to what went on here in Coventry and also as to what we have in our archives.
It can be quite taxing at times getting too far absorbed in research – the eyes begin to sting, the neck hurts and others think you are ignoring them, but it’s all worth it in the end.

Little major break-throughs are made here every day regarding research, but often it’s difficult to share as no-one else knows who or what you are talking about! However, we will continue, and over the coming months we’ll begin to share some of these break-throughs as it’s always good to learn something new isn’t it?

Damien,
Curator Research and Information