A “Pocket Impeller” attached to this canoe and driven with pedals is said to offer a revolutionary change in the ancient Indian sport for the reason that it is more efficient than either a paddle wheel or screw propeller. Although the impeller on this canoe has a width of but 1 3/16 inches, it is declared that if it were hooked up to a motor it would develop about 140 h.p. at 3,000 revolutions, or ten times as much more if its width were increased.
This photo dates from 1930.Searching the Internet has not yielded any clues as to what the “pocket impeller” was.It must not have been very successful! Notice also the bow-mounted rudder controlled by the handlebars.
Photographer
International Newsreel