History of Bicycles

1817 - The Walking Machine - Draisienne or Hobby Horse

This was the first appearance of a bicycle-like structure that was invented by Baron von Drais to assist him in quickly moving around the royal gardens. The design consisted of 2 in-line wheels of the same dimensions, a front steerable wheel, and a mounted frame that could be straddled while the whole structure was made of only wood. By pushing one's feed against the ground, the result was rolling yourself and the device forward. The popularity of this device was no more than a fad, since it was not practical for use in on a sidewalk or in the road. The "walking machine" ended up causing the user to expend more energy to propel the device and stay upright than would be spend walking the same distance.

1865 - Velocipede or Boneshaker

Finally, pedals were attached to the front wheels of the "walking machine" and the front wheel was enlarged for the creation of a 2-wheeled riding machine. This machine was then termed velocipede, meaning "fast foot". Initially, the design was one again made of only wood, but later metal tires were added. The friction encountered with the metal tires and the cobblestone roads created an unbearable and uncomfortable ride, thus the name "boneshaker" came into popular use. Once again this machine became nothing more than a fad since it was only useful in indoor riding arenas or purely flat surfaces.

1870 - High-Wheel Bicycle

The high-wheel bicycle was the first appearance of an all metal machine and the first machine to be called a bicycle ("two wheels"). The petals were once again attached to the front wheel. Rubber tires were used in addition to long spokes on the much larger front wheel. This combination resulted in a significantly smoother ride. After some research it was learned that the larger the front wheel, the further a person could travel with less pedaling. Thus, a person would buy a front wheel for the bike as large as their leg length would allow for riding. Due to the high cost of approximately 6 months pay, young men with money tended to increase this machines popularity. Although the design is aesthetically pleasing, it is somewhat unpractical. Metallurgy was not advanced enough in these days to make small and light parts. Thus, the bicycles were heavy and rather large. Since the center of gravity of the rider was so high, any small obstruction to the riding path would cause the bicycle to rotate forward on its front axis and the rider would be caught on the handlebars while falling onto his head.

 

1880's - High-Wheeled Tricycle

This bicycle was designed specifically for ladies who wore long skirt and corsets, such that they could ride around the park with decency. People who rode this bikes were considered dignified. Much of the mechanical inventions, such as steering and band brakes, for automobiles were originally developed for tricycles.

1880's - High-Wheeled Safety

Although the high-wheeled tricycle was much safer and more dignified than the high-wheeled bicycle, people still yearned for the large tire design to minimize pedaling required. Thus, a major improvement was made to the original design. The order of the wheels was switched so that the smaller wheel was located in the front of the bicycle and the petals were on the larger rear wheel to reduce the problem of tipping forward from obstructions. The major form of promotion of this model was to ensure people that it would give the owner a safe ride, so the manufacturer rode the bike down the front steps of the United States capitol building.

1880's - Hard-Tired Safety

With improvements in metallurgy, the design of the bicycle changed back to become similar to that of the "Walking Machine". Metal was used to make a chain and sprocket, and two wheels of the same size were once again implemented. Instead of only one wheel circumference for each turn of the petal, the additions of gears allowed for the bicycle to have similar speeds as the high-wheel bicycle. Hard rubber tires were still used, and thus the ride still remained bumpy, but more comfortable than the rides of any of the high-wheeled designs.

 

1888 - Pneumatic Tire

The use of a pneumatic tire was first added to the bicycle by an veterinarian by the name of Dunlop who was attempting to give his sick child a more comfortable and less bumpy ride on his tricycle. Now with the use of the tricycle and the pneumatic tire, comfort and safety could both be contained in the same machine. As the popularity of these additions increased, the bicycle became cheaper and the methods of manufacturing became more efficient. Thus, everyone jumped on the bandwagon to ride this improved bicycle and the era of the high-wheeled design ended abruptly.

1890 - Mass Production -- People started riding bicycles in large numbers, since it was a good investment and a cost-efficient method of getting places. The improved bicycle thus became a hot commodity and the prices started to decrease. This popularity allowed for the start of mass production of bicycles.

1894 - Social Order Change

Bloomers became popular attire for ladies during this year, thus tricycles were not practical for everyday transportation. Ladies could ride these improved bicycles (pneumatic-tire model especially) and still keep their legs covered. Women started to phase out the use of the corset for clothing that allowed for an increased mobility.

1902 - Indian Motorcycle

This was the first year of production of a motorcycle for the Hendee Manufacturing Company that was designed by a bicycle racer by the name of Oscar Hedstrom. This machine had 1 and 3/4 horsepower and sprocket-and-chain drive. This motorcycle shows the gradual change from the bicycle to the automotive cycle (motorcycle).

1920 - Kid's Bikes

Just after the First World War manufacturers appealed to the desires of children to have a motor rather than a bicycle by combining parts of automobiles and motorcycles to bicycles for a "classic" design. These designs were the heaviest and flashiest of all the bicycle designs to date.

1958 - Women Cyclists -- Balina Ermolaeva becomes the first women's World Sprint Champion, while women ride for the first time in the World Championships on the road and the track.

1970 - Earth Day -- In the recent awareness of the high consumption of natural resources, the increased air pollution, and the destruction of the natural environment, sales of bicycles had a huge spurt. Shortly after, in 1973, there were fuel shortages, which further encouraged people to use bicycles rather than spend extra money and waste our rare resources. The image below shows one of the popular 10-speed bicycles designed by Schwinn:

 

1980's:

Health and Fitness -- People of the upper and middle classes found recreational cycling a good form of exercise and relaxation

Mountain Bike -- The first prototype of a mountain bike was developed in the 1980's just north of San Francisco.

Tour de France -- Marianne Martin was the winner of the first feminine race

Popular Sport -- Surveys of the Department of the Interior show that bicycling is the third most popular sport.

Speeds -- Gear cluster increased to allow for the increased speeds from 15 to 24.

Today -- We have some of the most aerodynamic designs available for commercial purchase and a bicycle that can go approximately 28 mph (The World's Fastest Production Bicycle - Lightning F-40) and extremely light racing bicycles.

Click here to read the article about this bike and see a video clip

 
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