HISTORY OF BICYCLE (BY: RAJ PATEL)
HISTORY OF BICYCLE
The Beginning
The first bicycles did not exist until 200 years ago, but there are several sketches found during the Renaissance period that resemble a device that looks like a bicycle. The earliest sketch on record is from 1534 in Italy attributed to Gian Giacomo Caprotti, apprentice to the famous Leonardo da Vinci. However, physics professor and many other historians have said these sketches are fake, but some people still believe these, ultimately making it hard to determine what's true.
1800's Period
The early 19th century, however, is when bicycle verified patent designs started to be created. The first bicycle historically confirmed was made by Baron Karl von Drais in Germany. He patented this design in 1818, which was the first commercially successful two-wheeled, steerable, human-propelled machine, commonly called a velocipede, and nicknamed hobby horse or dandy horse. Constructed almost entirely of wood, the draisine weighed 22 kg, and had brass bushings within the wheel bearings, iron-shod wheels, and a rear-wheel brake.
During the 1820s and beyond, inventors in several different countries worked to improve Drais' original design, with Denis Johnson of London being one notable example for helping to streamline the design. Three- and four-wheeled bikes also began to pop up during this time, as the idea of having a rider balance by themselves was mostly dismissed.
Denis Johnson's velocipede
1863 brought with it the Macmillan bicycle designed by Pierre and Ernest Michaux. As the first mass-produced bike, it quickly gained a reputation for being uncomfortable and hard to balance on cobbled roads, which gave it the nickname “Boneshaker”. All good things come to an end, though, as the boneshaker's popularity quickly died out in France during the Franco-Prussian war of 1870, with only moderate success in the United States.
Pedal Bicycle, by Pierre Lallement's
Penny-Farthing, high wheel, and high wheeler, were all terms used to describe a type of bicycle with a large front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel that was popular after the boneshaker. They were the first machines to be called “bicycles”. The dangerous nature of these bicycles made cycling the preserve of adventurous young men and its popularity also coincided with the birth of cycling as a sport. The risk, such as elderly gentlemen and ladies, preferred the more stable tricycles.
Penny Farthing Bicycle
In 1885, though, the biggest change to the concept of bicycles happened as John Kemp Starley perfected the safety bicycle. Based on the 1979 three-wheeled "bicyclette", this bike used a wheel chain drive to assist riders in moving the wheels, allowing the designs to shift the seat towards the center of the vehicle instead of over one wheel.
Safety Cycle By John Kemp Starl
1900's Period
Companies like Raleigh, Schwinn, and other major bike manufacturers first began at the end of the 1890s, with business booming well into the 1900s.
Mass production by large companies helped the roadster gain quick popularity, its focus on durability making it a prime choice for postal workers and police officers to use on the job. Additionally, styles made specifically for women and sports usage helped ensure its longevity for nearly 50 years to come past the turn of the century.
The roadster is responsible for the more upright riding posture seen in modern bikes, as well as the gear-changing system that allowed for greater speeds and more versatility in riding. The braking systems were also improved, allowing for full stops and coasting.
Roadster for Women and Men
In modern times, the bicycle has remained largely unchanged in general appearance. The most striking difference between bikes now and what came before is the increased integration of different forms of technology into bicycles.
Some of the newer bicycle technologies such as disc brakes are being used in almost all modern bicycles, the function, and appearance of street bikes are built as thin and light as possible, with thin tires and mountain bikes with bigger and fatter tires. Hybrid bicycles (those that combine elements from street bikes and mountain bikes) have become more popular.
More than 1 billion bicycles have been manufactured worldwide as of the early 21st century. Bicycles are the most common vehicle of any kind in the world, and the most numerous model of any kind of vehicle, whether human-powered or electric powered.
The idea of choosing a bicycle and researching it came because I also have many memories of my bicycles. I remember in total I had 3 bicycles since my childhood and the latest one I gave in scrap a year ago. Still, I love to bicycle and have an idea to purchase a new one soon.
THANK YOU...!!
Credit:-
www.wikipedia.com
www.brown.edu.com
www.britannica.com
www.pinterest.com
RAJ PATEL ___22BDC030
Institute Of Design, Nirma University
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