The 2014 Tour de France is just around the corner, and Brian Trevaskiss has found a unique way to highlight the energy generated by cyclists during the race. He created the Pedal-Powered Printing Press (PPPP), a machine that not only demonstrates the physical effort of cycling but also showcases the power of human motion in driving mechanical processes.
Trevaskiss first discovered traditional printing methods during his graphic design studies. After working for eight years on a website, he felt a strong desire to return to the tactile experience of printmaking. In 2011, he was inspired to dive deeper into manual printing techniques—especially letterpress. The elegance of black text on white paper fascinated him, and since he couldn’t afford an old press, he decided to build one himself.
He constructed a rudimentary printing press using scaffolding, discarded covers, metal tubes, and a bottle jack. During this time, he also developed a passion for cycling. No matter the weather, he cycled daily to and from work, and on weekends, he would ride whenever possible. This dual interest in printing and cycling eventually led him to think about combining them.
“I jokingly said I wanted to build a foot-powered press,†he recalls. “But the idea stuck with me.†For Trevaskiss, both activities serve as a way to escape the digital world and reconnect with more hands-on experiences.
In 2014, he shared his vision with the Sheffield Cultural Foundation, which was organizing a 100-day celebration in Yorkshire, featuring an art and cultural exhibition in Leeds as the grand opener for the Tour de France. His concept of a pedal-powered press aligned perfectly with the theme of the event and the city’s rich printing history.
After winning support, Trevaskiss had just five weeks to complete the project before the event. He enlisted help from friends, avid cyclists, and a product design team called Click. Together, they brought his vision to life.
One of the main goals was to use bicycle parts as much as possible, which made sense given the event's focus on cycling. Fortunately, there were plenty of spare components available. The machine’s core was built from six bicycle shafts, sprockets, cranks, and other BMX parts.
The biggest challenge was converting the continuous rotation of the pedals into a back-and-forth motion needed for printing. Through trial and error, they experimented with various gears and chains until they found the right configuration.
This project not only showcased Trevaskiss’ creativity but also highlighted the intersections between design, engineering, and sustainability. He even used CAD software to visualize the movement of the machine—a skill he hadn’t previously explored.
The final result was a functional and artistic machine that combined the energy of cycling with the tradition of printmaking, making it a fitting tribute to the 2014 Tour de France.
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