The first Brompton?
 

Was the first Brompton really a Bickerton inspired folding bike?
(Taken from telegraph.co.uk)
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/...e_1538746i.jpg
Retro gadget: Brompton Folding Bicycle 1976
Although early folding bicycles date from the beginning of the 20th century and beyond, the style - and 'multimodal transportation’ - really began to take off in the 1970s when companies including Raleigh and Bickerton produced successful models. They were the perfect commuter bicycle, carrying users to transport links, folding up for the train or Underground journey, and then unfurling again for the remaining distance to the office. In 1976 the young engineer Andrew Ritchie was inspired by a Bickerton folder to come up with his own version, the Brompton. The following decade was a rocky road of design, investment from friends and then a six-year production freeze because of lack of capital. Ritchie’s entrepreneurial spirit prevailed, and by 1988 an improved design was back on the market. Each Brompton bicycle is now handmade to order from more than 1,200 individual parts in Britain. In October Ritchie won the Prince Philip Designers Prize, awarded annually to recognise a lifetime contribution to design.

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Oops... if I would have just read Brompton's history on their site.... ;)

Or, read the Book .. http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brompton-...haw-prod27433/

Seconded. A fascinating and informative read covering Brompton history!

Jerry