Only A Cast - Off Bicycle And 80 Cents - But He Built Himself A " Speed - Boat " Robert Simpson , 18 - year - old mechanic of San Rafael , California , USA had only 80 cents ( approximately 16 shillings ) and a cast - off bicycle . But with a good deal of inginuity he managed to produce a miniature " speed - boat " . Mounting the bicycle frame on a pair of floats he drove a crude paddle , fixed at the stern , by means of the chain and gear wheel . Photo shows : Robert Simpson testing out his peculiar , home - made " speed - boat " . [ 1936 ] *** Local Caption ***