Invention of Bicycle

Millions of people the world over ride them, but who actually invented the bicycle? How did it come into being?

To answer this question David V. Herlihy has written a charming and entertaining history of the bicycle (a French word by the way), from the early 19th century right up to the current day. The book is handsomely presented with plenty of big, glossy reproductions.

Herlihy writes in a conservative, text book style, yet the material he presents is always so interesting that the book never dulls for a minute.

The Invention of the Draisine, or Velocipede

The first version of the bicycle, then called a 'Draisine' or 'velocipede', was created by the German Karl von Drais. His early bike was patented in 1818. His 1818 invention was also called a 'dandy horse' or hobby-horse. Made almost entirely out of wood, the machine had no pedals, so it was just pushed by foot along the ground.

As can be imagined, there were pros and cons with this early version of the bicycle. Going down hill was fine, but going uphill was useless. The draisine was originally a popular fad that soon died out. Obviously, due to its limited utility and hefty price, its vogue soon waned.

Pedals on Bicycles Enter the Scene

Interestingly, it took about another 50 years for the cause of the velocipede to be taken up again. This time it was France that was to make the next major contribution to the bicycle. By the late 1860s a velocipede with pedals attached to the front wheel was on the market.

The 1870s saw the invention of the penny-farthing, with the huge front wheel that facilitated quicker speeds. At this stage bicycles were still very much the domain of well-heeled recreational riders, dandies with money and time for the pursuit. The bicycle still awaited a more widespread popular usage.

The Introduction of the Safety-Bicycle

This came in the 1880s with the so-called 'safety-bicycle'. A chain system turning a back wheel allowed for a bike that was closer to the ground, hence protecting the rider from the dreaded 'croppers' - falling off the bike. Now the rider just had to put their feet to the ground to stabilise the bike and prevent a fall. This new development had a lot of appeal for women in particular, widening dramatically the popularity of the bicycle. (Indeed, a lot of feminists at the time talked up the benefits of cycling for women. American feminist Susan B. Anthony dubbed it a 'freedom machine'.)

The basic design of the safety model is the type ridden today. So things have not really changed that much since the 1880s. Sure there have been lots of important improvements, but the basic safety model has never been superseded.

The fortunes of the bicycle have waxed and waned over time. A new model or technological advancement creates a new spike in usage, which then tapers off. When bikes should have really taken off, with the invention of the safety bike, along came the car. The awesome popularity of the motor car forced the bike into the background as a recreational plaything. In tough economic times, however, the bike has experienced an upsurge in popularity. During the 1970s oil shocks, bike usage shot up.

Of course currently there is a new period of surging bike popularity. Environmental concerns, the obesity crisis and the volatility of oil prices are helping to make the bike appear an answer to a lot of these problems.

Another interesting historical fact in Mr Herlihy's book is the public hostility to bike riders. Since day one there have been consistent complaints about bike riders on footpaths and knocking innocent pedestrians over. Even policemen and judges were notoriously unforgiving of rogue cyclists. It seems things have not changed much.

There is much to recommend in this book. It is well researched, with the author quoting a lot of contemporary sources for attitudes to bikes and cyclists. Mr Herlihy has an eye for a quirky story or interesting detail, making sure he keeps his bicycle history a constant enjoyment.

Obsessive and recreational bike riders alike will find much fascinating reading Bicycle: The History. Full marks to Mr Herlihy for this brilliantly organised and researched history of the bicycle.

Bicycle: The History, by David V. Herlihy is published by Yale University Press, 2006.