| Rollie Free’s Showercap and Speedo | |
|---|---|
|
Origin |
Rollie Free |
|
Type |
Showercap and Speedo |
|
Effects |
Allows one to assume a plank position with ease |
|
Downsides |
Rips off most clothing |
|
Activation |
Wearing on a vehicle |
|
Collected by |
Warehouse 13 |
|
Section |
|
|
Aisle |
Roper-97D |
|
Date of Collection |
May 6, 1990 |
| [Source] | |
Origin[]
Roland Robert Free (November 18, 1900 – October 11, 1984) was an American motorcycle and automobile racer best known for breaking the American motorcycle land speed record in 1948 on the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah. A picture of Free, prone and wearing a bathing suit, has been described as the most famous picture in motorcycling
On the morning of September 13, 1948, Free raised the American motorcycle speed record by riding the very first Vincent HRD, owned by the California sportsman John Edgar and sponsored by Mobil Oil, to a speed of 150.313 mph (241.905 km/h). Special features included the first-ever Vincent use of a rear shock absorber, the first Mk II racing cams, and horizontally mounted racing carburetors. Free adopted a style used by other racers, such as Norman Teleford, of lying flat on the machine's seat, thereby minimizing wind resistance and moving its center of gravity rearward.
To protect himself and allow comfort when in such a position, Free had developed special protective clothing. However, when his leathers tore from early runs at 147 mph (237 km/h), he discarded them and made a final attempt without a jacket, pants, gloves, boots, or helmet. Free lay flat on the motorcycle wearing only a bathing suit, a shower cap, and a pair of borrowed sneakers – inspired by his friend Ed Kretz. This resulted not only in the record, but also produced one of the most famous photographs in motorcycling history, the "bathing suit bike." The photo was taken from a car driven parallel to his run on the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Effects[]
Allows a passenger or driver to be able to enter a prone, splayed or planking position with no effort. Will enhance their core, posterior chain and balance to easily hold position even under vibration. Rips off the majority of their clothes to shreds when prone, everything except for undergarments and headwear.