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The first bicycle was the Lauf-Maschine. In 1818 Baron von Drais constructed a vehicle consisting of two carrige wheels on either end of a board. It was not until the second version that he included a steering mechanism. Brakes were still a long way off.

Several designs followed, but the first two wheeler with pedals was Macmillan's bicycle in 1838. It wasnt until 1852, however, that Thomas McCall made a version of Macmillan's bicycle wirh brakes. Both used a tredle-crank method instead of our current chain.

In 1862 the Michaux family produced the velocipede, which incliuded a break and pedals attached to the front wheel. Their mechanic, Pierre Lallement, brought the design to the United States. The Velocepede was also known as the Boneshaker due to its metal rimmed wheels and frame.

In 1869 the Penny-Farthing, the classic cycle featuring the oversizes front wheel, and the Phantom (simmaler in design to the Velocipede) both arrived on the scene. After this period, the trycycle became popular, but the bicycle has arrived again.

In 1879 H.J. Lawson's Safety Bicycle inspired Birminghamn Small Arms Company to produce a chain driven bicycle that was the ancestor of todays titanium alloy mountain bikes and ultralight racing bikes. Unfortunately, Lawson did not recieve credit or compensation.

With the boom of automobiles, the bicycle did become somewhat less popular, in the 1970's as personal fitness became a priority, the bicycle once again has regained the floor.

Special thanks to Menotony Vintage Bicycles for several of the pictures. For some more cool pictures of great old bikes, check out Menotony Vintage Cycles on the Web

Wear Your Helmet!

© by Pete Allen and Colin Dixon 1997