About 1861, the French carriage makers Pierre and Ernest Michaux invented
the modern bicycle pedal and cranks. Contrary to popular belief, the father and
son did not invent the bicycle. Legend has it that they came up with the design
when a Draisienne was brought in for repairs.
Metal at Last
A few years later, someone had the bright idea to use metal, the tool of the
industrialized age. Up until now, manufacturers used wood because metal working
technology had not advanced far enough. For the first time, the crazy
contraption was known as a
”bicycle,” for its two wheels. The front wheel size was increased to allow for
greater distances relative to effort. Unfortunately, the metal bicycle did not
have much impact on society because of its prohibitive expense. This new
machine was popular with the rich young dandies of the day, being new and
extremely expensive. It was the bicycle equivalent of a Lamborghini.
The Gay Nineties
Yep, there was more than one. In the 1890’s, an Irish veterinarian wished to
make his son’s bicycle experience more comfortable on his, er, rear
extremities. So Mr. Dunlop (name sound familiar?) applied a rubber pneumatic
tire to the wheels of the bicycle, and history was made.
The bicycle had reached its height of popularity. Mass manufacturing
techniques and decreasing costs of materials made the machine accessible to
just about anyone. Ladies and gentlemen of all classes rode bicycles all about
town.
The bicycle is supposed to have played an especially big role in the women's
movement of the late 1800's and early 1900's. The modern style bicycle with its
two equal sized wheels and rubber tires made it possible for women to ride it
while still modestly concealing their legs and ankles beneath skirts. Clothing
adapted to the bicycle, and women were encouraged not to wear corsets or
bustles in order to avoid nasty accidents. The bicycle made it possible for
women to have greater mobility, greater freedom.