3500B.C.-- The history of wheeled veheicles originates in lower Mesopotamia. There is eveidence that the Sumerians made use of these vehicles.

1551-- The coach was introduced to Britain.

1791-- The Celeripede was demonstrated by Comte de Sivrac in Paris through development of a children's toy in the form of a wooden horse. It wheels for hooves, consisted of a wooden bar supported on 2 sizeable wheels and carrying a padded saddle. Rider propelled it with feet and could only steer by leaning (renames Velocipede in 1793).

1817-- A steerable front wheel was added to the Velocipede and it was called a "dandy horse".

1819-- W.K. Clarkson was granted a patent for improving the "bike": the rider was perched on a saddle cushion in the middle of a longitudinal bar over 2 equal sized wooden wheels held in iron forks with another leather cushion to lean upon while steering and propelling the machine with feet. Became very popular at this time among the wealthy in Germany, Britain, and the USA.

1825-- Accesories were beginning to be added to the "bike", such as: the mileometer, footrests on frontwheel for rest while coasting downhill, a spring was put under the seat for comfort, and an adjustable seat-- to adjust distance from seat to ground.

1839-40-- The first pedal bicycle made in Scotland

1860-- A rear wheel brake added

1861-- The idea of fitting cranks and pedals to the front wheel was suggested by pierre michaux and his son built it-- the bicycle now became a practical machine in France.

1862-- There were currently 142 models of the bikes manufactured each year.

1863-- Annual productions reached 400 models of bikes per year. Bicycles were made of steel, with ebony wheels and ivory handle-grips, the seat was mounted on a spring and lever brakes were located on the rear tire.

1866-- The first bicycle patent in the US was given to James Carrol and Pierre Lallement. The biclycle was revolutionary: people could travel outside their immediate geographical and social circumstances cheaply, barriers of strict Sabbath observances and stiff exchange between sexes, confining modes of dress and class distinctions.

1869-- The first cycle show in France and in England they held race meetings where prizes were awarded to the best bicycle. The first race track was open and the first cycling periodical, 'Veleocipede Illustre" was published.

1890-- The Arnold, Schwinn and company was founded.

1891-- Ignaz Schwinn immigrade to Chicago from Germany. Within four years he had created a company that produced over 25,000 bicycles eash year. Schwinn attracted the best bike-racers in teh USA to his "Paramount team" which came out on top because of their knowledge of cycling and schinn's inoovactive designs.

1903-- Wilbur and Orville Wright designed their first flying machine ysing their knowledge of bikes.

1930-- The Balloon-Tire Bicycle was invented.

1934-- Influended by the design of automobiles, Schwinn took his chances and tried to save the bicycle industry. Using a new tire construction that was popular in Europe, Schwinn used a 1&1/4" tire with an inner-inflatable tube. The "Streamline Aerocycle" was born. It was a great success, and from then on Schwinn developed a new cycle every year.

1960-- The first 3- and 10-speed bikes were invented

1968-- Gary Fisher and Charles Kelly discover mountain biking.

1972 -- The first "Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa" (RAGBRAI) took place.

1997-- CyberCycle is born!