| The bicycle is one of the world's most important | | | | world's first public record of a two wheel machine |
| inventions and has a very interesting history with | | | | that was pedal powered. The name on the patent |
| some rather surprising facts. For example, just about | | | | was Pierre Lallement a Frenchmen. |
| anyone that knows a thing or two about bicycles will | | | | Following is a brief look at some of the important |
| be familiar with most of the items in this list; | | | | milestones through the early years beginning with the |
| - Derailleur | | | | busy late 1800's. |
| - Aluminum Frame | | | | - Spoked Wheels - 1870 in England |
| - Clipless Pedals | | | | - Ball Bearings - 1872 in Germany |
| - Freewheel | | | | - Caliper Brakes - 1876 in England |
| - Suspension | | | | - Differential Gears - 1877 in England |
| - Anatomical Seats/Saddles | | | | - Seamless Tube Frames - 1886 in Germany |
| - Folding Bike | | | | - Pneumatic Bicycle Tire - 1888 in Scotland by John B. |
| Would you believe that every one of these was | | | | Dunlop. |
| invented in the late 1800's? It is a fact. By the turn | | | | - Aluminum Frame - 1890 in France |
| of the century a lot of focus was on improving the | | | | - Derailleur - 1896 in England |
| basic bicycle. At that time there were two buildings in | | | | - Freewheel - 1898 in Germany |
| Washington DC that held every patent in the U.S. | | | | Things began to slow down shortly past the turn of |
| One building held patents for every type of invention | | | | the century in terms of major developments up until |
| you could think of. The other building was just for | | | | the 1930's and 40's. Of note however is the invention |
| bicycle patents. | | | | of the Dual Suspension Mountain Bike developed by |
| Many of these patents never became successful. | | | | the Italian maker Bianchi for use by the Italian Army. |
| However many important milestones were achieved | | | | From 1930 to the late 40's there were a number of |
| as a result of others improving on designs or | | | | major developments. |
| abandoned experiments. This causes some confusion | | | | - Quick Release Hubs - 1930 in Italy by Tulio |
| a lot of times as to who the true inventor is of a | | | | Campagnolo |
| particular component. Does the idea on paper | | | | - Recumbent Bike - 1932 in France by Mochet who |
| constitute an invention without a working prototype? | | | | breaks both the records for the mile and the |
| Or does the first successful working one deserve to | | | | kilometer. |
| be recognized. It has and always will be a topic of | | | | - Balloon Tires - 1933 in U.S.A introduced by Schwinn. |
| discussion. Even the invention of the bicycle itself is a | | | | Important due to what will happen in a few years, |
| topic of debate. | | | | see 1938. |
| Some argue that a drawing from a Leonardo da Vinci | | | | - Mountain Bike - 1938 in U.S.A. from Schwinn an |
| student in 1493 depicts what some may call a bicycle. | | | | improved design from previous versions. The |
| Others say it is a hoax. Either way there were no | | | | grandfather of todays mountain bikes. |
| working bicycles until the late 1800's. And even then | | | | - Shifters - 1946 in Italy from Campagnolo. |
| there is controversy. | | | | From the 1960's until today there have been many |
| Most contend that the likely inventor is actually a | | | | improvements on the old designs and some new |
| group of people and their inventions combined built | | | | inventions as well. The next article in this series will |
| the basis for what we know as a bicycle today. In | | | | look at the 1960's through the 90's and some of the |
| 1866 a patent application was granted and it is the | | | | major advancements and trends that developed. |