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In 1839 Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a blacksmith of Courthill, Dumfriesshire, fitted pedals and cranks to the rear wheel, but again the machine was a failure. About 1864 Pierre Lallement, of Paris, adopted a front-wheel drive by fitting cranks and pedals, and, strange to say, this ‘bone-shaker,' as it was called, became the first popular bicycle
The back-bone was of solid iron, and the wooden wheels had iron tires. It was introduced into England in 1868, and large numbers were made and used. In 1869 wire-spoked wheels were introduced by E.A.Cowper, and in the following year solid rubber tyres,and ball bearings in 1878.

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The Romance of Transport
By Ellison Hawks
Published 1931
Available free from Archive.org

Posted on

Monday 15 January 2024

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1018*767

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• Technology / Transport / Land / Human Powered

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