The+History+of+Bicycles

We've all seen our modern bikes, two even leveled wheels, a seat, and pedals. But, has the bicycle always looked that way?


 * The Walking Machine **

====The first bicycle was invented in 1817 by Baron von Drais. He designed it to help move around his gardens faster. The machine had two in-line wheels with a frame you could straddle and push with your feet. It became known as the Draisienne, or a "dandy horse."====



**The Velocipede **
==== The next installment of bicycle history is the Velocipede ("fast foot"). The Velocipede is the first bicycle that included pedals, which were added directly to the front wheel. Velocipedes were eventually made a "fad," with riding establishments like roller rinks found in major cities. The Velocipede was also known as a bone shaker, due to the bike being made entirely out of wood. Later, metal tires were added. The two together plus cobblestone roads made the ride not as pleasant as out modern day rides. ====



The High-Wheel Bicycle
==== The first all metal bicycle was introduced in 1870. The pedals are still connected directly to the wheel. This bike introduced long spokes in the front wheel and smooth rubber tires. These bicycles gained popularity amongst the wealthy, as they cost the average worker's six months of pay. The machines really took off in the 1880s. ====

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The High-Wheel Tricycle
Spinning off of the High-Wheel Bicycle comes the High-Wheel Tricycle. When the men would ride their dangerous, high wheeled bicycles, the women could ride on tricycles. This tricycle had many innovations including brakes, and rack and pinion steering. The ladies could hold onto some dignity while wearing long skirts and corsets with this technical innovation!

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The High-Wheel Safety
Out comes the High Wheel Safety, and the improvements keep on rolling (no pun intended). One of them was even advertised by rolling down the steps to the Capitol building in Washington, DC! With a smaller front wheel, the safety is higher and prevents less rolling over the front wheel. But, more improvements are to come.



The Hard-Tired Safety
Now, the bicycle is starting to look more like a modern day bike, but 100 years old. They decided to ditch the large wheels and added two wheels of the same size. Other innovations were the chain and gears, for more efficiency and the same speed as a high wheel. But, due to no shock absorbing spokes, the ride was not as comfortable as the high wheeled design. Soon, both would be combined to take the high wheel out of buisness.



The Pneumatic-Tired Safety
The pneumatic (noo-mat-ik) tires were first rolling on bicyles owned by an Irish veterinarian who wanted his son to have a smoother ride on his tricycle. This bike also could be manufactured significantly cheaper. The 1898 Yale used a shaft drive so there was no need for a dirty, rusty chain. This bike made bicycling much more popular in the 1880s and 90s that the League of American Wheelman, now the League of American Bicyclists was formed. They requested better road conditions for bikes and cars alike.



The Current Scene
Throuought the 50s and 70s, 10 speed derailler bikes we're very popular in American bikes, having been in Europe since the turn of the century. There are many, many designs that never hit off, such as the Ingo.

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