Evolution of the Bicycle
Evolution of the Bicycle
The Bicycle Boom of the 1880s
draisine
1818
velocipede
1830
pedal bicycle
1860
high wheeler
1870
safety bicycle
1885
racing bicycle
1960
the development of the safety bicycle was the most important advancement in the history of the bicycle.
the development of the safety bicycle was the most important advancement in the history of the bicycle. it shifted the bicycle’s public perception from a dangerous toy to a practical, everyday mode of transportation.
THE HIGH WHEELER
THE HIGH WHEELER
cycling first gained significant popularity in the 1870s with the invention of the high wheeler.
THE HIGH WHEELER
cycling first gained significant popularity in the 1870s with the invention of the high wheeler. however, this early design was risky and impractical.
the problem
THE SOLUTION
in 1885, john kemp starley developed the safety bicycle to improve speed, comfort, steerability, and of course, safety.
in 1885, john kemp starley developed the safety bicycle to improve speed, comfort, steerability, and of course, safety. by 1890, safety bicycles had all but replaced the dangerous high wheeler.
safeties were the first bicycles suitable for women. however, the restrictive standards of victorian dress made cycling difficult.
the bicycle gave women unprecedented mobility and freedom. IT came to symbolize the independent “new woman� of the late nineteenth century.
the bicycle boom helped improve quality of life and create new jobs.
Recreational cycling became popular and helped promote a healthier lifestyle.
Recreational cycling became popular and helped promote a healthier lifestyle. The streets were safer, as policemen no longer relied on horses to navigate the narrow city streets.
Recreational cycling became popular and helped promote a healthier lifestyle. The streets were safer, as policemen no longer relied on horses to navigate the narrow city streets.
the lucrative role of the paper boy emerged out of the simultaneous rise of newspapers, broadsheets and the bicycle.
factory jobs were created to manufacture bicycle parts to satisfy market demands. policement no longer relied on horses to navigate narrow city streets.
the lucrative role of the paper boy emerged out of the simultaneous rise of newspapers, broadsheets and the bicycle.
after the bicycle boom of the late nineteenth century, cycling popularity continued to escalate in europe but dropped dramatically in the united states.
in western europe, cycling remained an adult activity and continues to be used for delivery, commuting and tourism.
in western europe, cycling remained an adult activity and continues to be used for delivery, commuting and tourism. in the united states, the bicycle gradually became considered a children’s toy. by the end of world war I, most bicycles in the united states were made for kids.
it would not be at all strange if history came to the conclusion that the perfection of the bicycle was the greatest incident of the nineteenth century.
it would not be at all strange if history came to the conclusion that the perfection of the bicycle was the greatest incident of the nineteenth century. Henry Miller
AMERICAN MUSEUM of TRANSPORTATION