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Period: Feb 9, 1400 to
History of the Bike
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Jan 1, 1418
First land vechicle powered by humans
"Giovanni Fontana built the first human powered land vehicle -- it had four wheels and used an endless rope connected via gears to the wheels." (International Bicycle Fund) -
Jan 8, 1493
First sktiches of a bike (Hoax?)
"Sketches showing a primitive version of a bicycle, purported drawn by Leonardo da Vinci," -
Food Shortages Spur Innovation: Dandyhorse
Starving horses due to food shortage spur the need for another form of transportation. These are first two-wheel bikes and are like scooters in that rider pushes off and coasts. Built entirely of wood. -
Pedals are added (maybe!)
This might be lore, but legend has it in 1839 a Scottish blacksmith added pedels to the dandyhorse, an important innovations -
Boneshaker
Metal wheels over cobblestone made for 'bonehaking' for the rider -
Highwheeler
Highwheelers come into fashion--they're a more confortable ride but also difficult for the average person to manuvuer. -
Need dignity?
Than ride a 'trike'. These were for people who wanted to ride but needed to be decorus, i.e. for women and clergy. -
First Transcontinental Ride
Thomas Stevens is the first to make the 3,700 mile ride from coast to coast -
Pneumatic tire
Vet invents the tire we use today to allow his sickly son to have an easier ride. This tire makes rides more comfortable for all and this, paired with the decreasing costs of bicycle production, make bikes hugely popular. -
Mass Production makes widely available
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Bikes Changing Social Order
Bloomer (first pants for women) increase in popularity due to biking and the need for more practical dress.. "Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel. It gives woman a feeling of freedom and self-reliance." Susan B Anthony -
Annie Londonderrie
Woman takes trips around the world (biking at least part way, thought it was covered in the news as a woman biking around the world). Big news! -
Major Taylor--first black international sports star
Major Taylor beats everyone in sprint cycling -
Bikes Decline
Bikes as a form of transportation begin a long decline as cars gaiin in popularity and more of the country is connected via train -
First Tour de France
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Schwinn Ups the Ante
Lots of new hardware and innovations from this company throughout the 1930s -
Recumbant Bikes Banned from racing
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Balina Ermolaeva becomes the first women's World Sprint Champion
Balina Ermolaeva becomes the first women's champ! -
Earth Day Rejuvanates Biking
"Earth Day: Increased awareness of westerns civilization's level of consumption of natural resources, air pollution, and destruction of the natural environment. This generated a new spurt in the growth of bicycle sales and bicycling, especially around college campuses." -
Helmets (finally)
Bell Company produces ones of the first effective helmets (see picture) -
Steep Oil Prices push Americans Towards Bikes
More bikes than cars are sold this year -
Olympics Coed for Biking
Women's road race included in the Olympics for the first time -
Continuing Innovation: Integration
Shimano (Japanese) introduces integrated brake/gear levers.
