Invention Of The Bicycle example essay topic

The invention of the bicycle: Was it the greatest invention ever? 'There has not been a more civilizing invention in the memory of the present generator than the invention of the bicycle open to all classes, enjoyed by both sexes and ages'- Lord Bal our (Leek&Leek 9.) he bicycle invented in 1816 was to become one of the greatest inventions still used today. A small town blacksmith in Germany had an idea for an invention the people though was crazy. That idea ended up being something used daily today 185 year later. One mans simple idea 185 years ago has become a major part of today's culture.

The Bicycle was one of the most influential inventions of transportation in the world. The Bicycle in its first forms looked nothing like today's idea of the bicycle. Its original designs were more similar to a "hobbyhorse" than a bicycle. The Draisine had two wheels in tandem along with a crude steering mechanism. This original idea was left open for other additions. From simple things like rubber tires to most importantly brakes.

The Velocipede was a little later in time than the Draisine but still had major issues. They had extremely large front wheels and minute rear wheels. This caused for the super high center of gravity along with almost impossible mounting and dismounting. In a German blacksmith shop around 1816, a man was to invent something that was to become a major part of today's culture.

The original idea was to have a machine. That would allow a person to travel a long distance with little energy. Only after it was built, it was something that would take a large amount of energy to go on flat or a slight uphill for a short coast down a hill. After the invention was refined a little, it could almost get to the idea of what Drais had. It was used for long distance travel with a lot of downhill coasting. The people of Karlsruhe wanted the Barons invention banned from the sidewalks and the streets.

On January 12 1818, the baron received this order", We, by the grace of God, duke of Baden, grant Duke of Zahringer, grant to Karl, Baron Von Drais for his invention of tread machine an invention patent for ten years duration that no one can copy of have copied in the land of grand duchy, or shall use this on public street or places without first, having settles with the inventor about it and have gotten proof of it from him". In Paris Louis Den eur took out a patent calling the barons invention a Velocipede. Another name from the French was Draisienne. During the year of 1790, people of a France claimed the Chevalier d Sivnae had produced a similar machine. Similar forms of transportation have been known hundreds of years before Chevalier d Sivnae was even born.

The Barons design was similar to Chevaliers with two wheels in tandem but the barons improved with the addition of a steering mechanism. Another French man Nice' phone Niepce, recognized the value of a steer able two-wheeled vehicle. Without the Barons invention of the bike, history would bet totally different. The right brothers earned their living working in a bicycle repair shop in Dayton Ohio.

With them working in this Bicycle repair shop gave them enough money for them to build their first flying machine in 1936. A poem entitled "the campers at Kitty Hawk" claimed that the flying contraption was held together with "Arnt eins Bicycle cement". The movie " Bicycle thief Would have nothing to steal and over 800 million Chinese people would have a different mode of transportation. After many years of the original design of the bicycle, very few changes were made. The most common change was changing of the wheel sizes to increase speed. But all bicycles had the new invention of a type of pedal drive similar to that of a train patented by Kirpatric Macmillan.

The idea of using arms to connect the pedals to the spindle on the front hub allowed for a larger wheelbase without moving the rider toward the front. With the train drive style of pedals also allowed for the rider to use les force and still travel on level or slight uphill that a person with the crank arms connected directly to the spindle. In 1860, Thomas McCall improved on Kirpatric Macmillan's additions by added a rear brake. This brake allowed for a man to save money on expensive leather shoes and boots when coasting down hills. Philip Fischer devised a process for making large amounts of steel balls.

These steel balls were then used in the wheels, cranks and steering mechanisms of the bicycle in the form of ball bearings. During the year of 1861, father and son Pierre and Ernest Michaux were baby carriage makers. After repairing many carriages, they began to affix cranks to the carriages. This machine would become to be known are the velocipede. In a time period of one year they produced 144 velocipedes. After three years they were producing up to four hundred velocipedes.

But a man Pierre Lallement received the first patent on the bicycle even thought the Michaux family invented it. Many years after the Michaux / Lallement bicycle was first made it became known as the "boneshaker". During that time, only men were allowed to ride bicycles. It was considers a Melensky 4 vehicle of masculinity. After Franco-Prussian war, the bicycle business regained it status and people were looking for more luxurious bicycles. Many manufactures were making bicycles with ebony wheels, ivory handlebars and grips, backrests or anything that could add comfort or fanciness.

In 1872 the invention of's poked wheels reduced weight and softened the ride slightly. The spokes were thin pieces wire that was threaded through the hub, then the rim back to the hub. Moving the hub's flanges apart produced the tension. This idea was first patented and used my G.F. Bauer for large diameter wheels.

This was the second most useful invention for the bicycle next to the brake. After 1870 the trend toward tricycles increased. One of the greatest reasons was the ease of use for women. The other great reason was the safety from the stability. The huge front wheel made it very unstable and difficult to get on it. Most tricycles were found at heath resorts, they became known as bath chairs.

The name was probably given for Bath, a famous heath spa in England. After the original idea of having to rear wheels and a single front wheel, it was found that on large wheel on the one side and two smaller wheels for steering on the other side was a lot more maneuverable. By 1877 there were a lot of tricycles being manufactured. From 1877 to 1878 there were fifty-seven patents granted for tricycles.

One of the most useful patents was the two large side wheels along with a small rear wheel for steering. This allowed for safety in case on a crash, the driver would fall forward and not into moving wheels. The quadrant tricycle was the first tricycle to use a front wheel for steering along with handlebars, and a chain drive. The patented in 1879 by T. Butler used leather belts and different sized pulleys as gears for bad roads or hills at temped to make things easier. The end result was harder to change the pulleys while moving then it was to just use one constant speed. James Starley patented the "ribbon" front wheel.

The ribbon wheel used narrow brass strips for spokes. For this Starley become known as "the father of the bicycle industry". James Starley's Ariel had a large front wheel and a small back wheel with a saddle placed close to the handlebars. The greatest part of his Ariel was the innovation of a speed gear.

This allowed the front wheel to rotate two spins for every turn of the crank. This allowed the rider to travel faster and farther with less energy. In 1873 Mr. James Moore rode at a speed of fourteen and a half miles an hour. This created the world record for speed on a bicycle. Along with the "Ribbon" wheel comes another improvement to spokes.

The adjustable nipple type spoke. These works by taking a strait piece of thin metal and attaching part of it to the hub and threading the other end. The rim contains holes which adjustment nipple passes through. By tightening and loosening the nipples you can straiten and strengthen the wheel. A matter of safety was increased in 1978 by the use of curved fork legs and an angled head tube. This put the line of contact with the front wheel making for a safer ride.

By 1890, the bicycles of the time resembled that of today's bicycles. In 1888 companies were adding springs to the seats, forks, and even handlebars for a more comfortable rides. These only cause problems; they made the ride even worse in some conditions. The addition of the pneumatic tire made what was a terribly painful ride now a lot comfortable. After 185 years the Bicycle has undergone many changes. From the minor addition of two equal size wheels to the major addition of brakes.

But the same idea still is there. To make a form of transportation that's simple, fast, easy and fun. In 1816 to October 24th 2001 the bicycle has changed and is becoming a bigger part of our culture. The Invention of the bike: was it one of the greatest inventions ever? Thesis: The bicycle was one of the most influential inventions of transportation in the world.

Introduction: "There has not been a more civilizing invention in the memory of the present generation than the invention of the bicycle, open to all classes, enjoyed by both sexes and ages-Lord Balfour (Leek&Leek 9.) The bicycle, invented in 1816 was to become one of the greatest inventions that's still used today. A small town blacksmith in Germany had an idea for an invention that people thought was crazy. The idea ended up being something used daily, even today 185 years later. The bicycle was on of the most influential inventions of transportation in the world. I. The bicycles first counter parts. A. The velocipede / Draisine was the first two-wheeled steer-able bicycle.

II. Baron Von Drais was a German Blacksmith. A. Baron Von Drais invented the first bicycle in 1816. B. Baron Von Drais was given the patent on the first bicycle in 1818.. Frenchmen Chevalier De Sivnae and Nice' phone Niepce were also have said to have invented the bicycle before Baron Von Drais. A. Cheval De Sivnae was said to have produced a similar machine around 1790. VI. More and better additions to the original bicycle. A. Scottish blacksmith Kirpatric Macmillan invented the first pedal operated bicycle. B. In 1860 Thomas McCall improved on Macmillan's design by the addition of a rear brake. Conclusion: After 185 years the Bicycle has undergone many changes.

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Bibliography

Leek, Sybil, and Stephen Leek. The Bicycle that curious invention. Nashville / New York, : Thomas Nelson inc, 1975.