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Steven Acosta 3/11/11   Core 1 ﻿History of Bicycles

During 1817 Baron von Drais invented a walking machine that would help him get around the royal gardens faster: two same-size in-line wheels, the front one steer able, propelled by pushing your feet and the ground, thus rolling yourself and the device forward in a sort of gliding walk. The machine became known as the Draisiene or Hobby Horse. It was made entirely of wood. Bicycles will be helpful for people in the future.

The next appearance of a two wheeled riding machine was in 1865, when pedals were applied directly to the front wheel. This machine was known as the Velocipede, but was popularly known as the Bone Shaker since it was also made entirely of wood, then later with metal tires, and the combination of these with the cobblestone reads of the day made for an extremely unconfortable ride.

In 1870 the first all metal machine appeared. The high wheel in the front and one litte wheel in the back. because the center of gravity, if the front wheel was stopped by a stone or rut in the road, the entire apparatus rotated forward on its front axle, and the rider, with his legs trapped under the handlebars, was dropped unceremoniously on his head. Thus the term taking a header come into being.

While the men were risking their necks on the high wheels, ladies, confined to their long skirts and corsets could take a spin around the park on an adult tricycle. These machines also afforded more dignity to gentlmen such as doctors and clergymen. Many mechanical innovations now associated with the automobile were originally invented for tricycle has three very large wheels making it difficult to get on an off it.

Improvements to the high wheel with the small wheel in the front to eliminate the tipping forward problem. This bicycle has small handlebars in the front. One model was promoted by its manufacturer by being ridden down the front stepts of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. These designs became known as high-wheel designs had been known simply as bicycles, they were now referred to as "ordinary bicycles" incomparison with the new fangled designs, and then simply as "ordinaries". As time past the high wheel bicycles were made smaller so that it would be easier to ride.

Bicycling was so popular in the 1880's and 1890's that cyclists formed The League of American Wheelman which is still in existance and is now called The League of American Bicyclists. The league lobbied for better roads, literally paving the road for the automobile.

The kids bike intorduced just after the first World War by several manufacturers, such as Mead, Sears Roebuck, and Montomery Ward, to revitalze the bike industry. These designs, now called "classics" included automobile and motorcycle elements to appeal to kids who, presumably, would rather have a motor. If ever a bike needed a motor, this was it.