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Period: Sep 4, 1418 to
History of bikes
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The Draidienne
Devic was propelled by pushing your feet against the ground, thus rolling yourselfand the device forward in a sort of gliding walk. It had no pedles. The machine became kown as the hobby horse. It was mad entirly of wood. It was invented by Baron Von Drais who wanted a walking machine that would help him get around the royal gardens faster -
Period: to
History of bikes
the creation of all bikes -
The Boneshaker
Also made entirly of wood of wood (later with metal tires) and pedels applied directlyto the front wheel. Popularly known as the Boneshaker riding on the cobblestone roads of the day made for an extremly uncomfortable ride -
The Bicycle
( "two wheels" ): all metal frame with solid rubber tires. The large front wheel provided a much smoother ride than its predeessor. The front wheel became larger and larger as makers realized that the larger wheel , the father you could travel with one rotation of the pedals. These bicycles were popular among young men of means ( they cost an average workers six month's pay ). -
The Adult Tricycle
While the men where risking there necks on the high wheels, ladies, wearing thier long skirts and corsets,could take a spin around the park on an adult tricycle. These machines also afforded more dignity to gentlemen such as doctors and clergymen -
The Hard - Tired Safety
Better metallurgy led to the next innovation, returning to a previous design with a machine small and light enough for a human being to power , the original configuration of chain, spocket and gearing and two same size wheels,instead of just one wheel cirumference for every pedal turn.Thy still still had the hard rubber tires, and in the absence of the long, shok absorbing spokes, the ride they providedwas much more uncomfortable. But the next innvation tolled the death of the high wheel design -
The Pnumatic Tired Safety
The pneumatic tire was first applied to the bicycle by an Irish Veterinarian called Dunlop, who was trying to give his young son a more comfortable ride on his tricycle. This move added comfort to an ever increeasingly to ride one of these new bicycles. The bicycle was a much practical investment for the working men as transportation, and gave him a much greater flexibility for leisure. Ladies could now ride a much more versatile machine and still keep thier legs covered with long skirts. -
The Kids Bike
The sport of cycing exploded post war rising the profile across Europe and the world. Recreational bikes appeared featuring automobile and motorcycle elements to appeal to kids who, presumably, would rather have a motor. If ever a bike needed a motor, this was it. these bikes evolved into the most glamorous, fabulous, ostentatious, heavy desingns ever weighing in around 30kg. By the mid-50's they had taken on design helments of jet aircraft and even rockets. -
Helsinki Olympics
The early s0s and 60s was some radical leaps in the popularity of cycling across the globe. When the underdog australian Cyclists won olypic tandem gold in Helsinki the whole world took notice and soon everyone seemed to have a bicycle. Modern engineering didn't change the shape of the bicycle much but the finer aspects such as gearing, helped lighten the equipment and get faster times -
The chopper
an early style Schwinn Stingray bicycle was a departure from the normal design and a popular one with many kids in the US. then in 1969 raleigh released the chopper. It was a christmas hit and still remains today an iconic image of the 70's.Returning the classic design of the velo as per the road racers, utility type bicycles and purpose built cycles ( butchers trade bikes, etc ) the bicycles was firmly established in our culture.