The History of the Bicycle

The History of the Bicycle

The evolution of the bicycle is a result of the technological evolution

A bicycle often called a bike, is a human powered, pedal driven, single track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame one behind the other. A bicycle rider is called a cyclist or a bicyclist.

• 1790
• Comte Mede de Sivrac of France
• it was a wooden scooter-like device with no pedals or steering.

• 1817
•  Baron Karl von Drais de Sauerbrun of Germany
•   It had two in-line wheels connected by a wooden frame. The rider sat astride and pushed it along with his feet, while steering the front wheel. 

• 1867
•  Many historians credit Pierre and Ernest Michaux as being the true inventors of the modern bicycle. 
• a two-wheeled riding machine, when pedals were applied directly to the front wheel. 
• This machine was known as the velocipede ("fast foot"), but was popularly known as the bone shaker, since it was also made entirely of wood
•  later it had metal tires, and the combination of these with the cobblestone roads  made for an extremely uncomfortable ride. 

• 1870
• High wheeler Bike or Penny Farthing
• James Starley and William Hillman
• the first all metal machine
• The pedals were still atttached directly to the front wheel with no freewheeling mechanism
• The front wheels became larger and larger as makers realized that the larger the wheel, the farther you could travel with one rotation of the pedals.
• You would purchase a wheel as large as your leg length would allow. 
• This machine was the first one to be called a bicycle ("two wheel"). 

• Because the rider sat so high above the center of gravity, if the front wheel was stopped by a stone  in the road, or the sudden emergence of a dog, the entire bicycle rotated forward on its front axle, and the rider, with his legs trapped under the handlebars, was dropped on his head. Thus the term "taking a header" came into being.

While the men were risking their necks on the high wheels, ladies could take a spin around the park on an adult tricycle. These machines also afforded more dignity to gentlemen such as doctors and clergymen.

•  1885
• John Kemp Starley, James's nephew 
• The next stage of bicycle development came with the creation of the safety bicycle,
•  transformed the bicycle from a dangerous item limited to the realm of reckless young men to a reliable and comfortable device that could be safely used by people of all ages for everyday transportation.
•  two wheels of the same size, coupled with a sprocket and chain system that drove the bike from the rear wheel. This was the same basic "diamond frame" design still in use in today's bikes.

• Over the years, bicycle design, materials, components and manufacturing processes have improved to create bikes of today, increasingly sophisticated and efficient machines.
•  the basic frame design has stayed the same
•  the use of  material like titanium and carbon fiber have created bikes lighter and stronger .
•  shifters and derailleurs allow riders to work themselves through a range of gears that allow bikes to go  faster and climb much steeper hills than a single speed bike
• Bike styles have morphed This specialization means that you can go into any  bike shop and select from mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrids, cruisers, tandems, recumbents, and more, all based on where and how you plan to ride.

• The bike from the future
• The main feature addition to environmental friendliness is folding pedals and handlebars. Thanks to this feature it is easy to save space in the parking.
• The bike is powered by lithium-ion battrey. This means you can use it as an electric bike and electric motorcycle. The battery can charge various electrical appliances.