As the world’s best cyclists gather for the annual Tour de France, the team at Dawn Ellmore Employment takes a look into the history of the modern bicycle, as told through patents.
But first a bit of Tour history… Le Tour was first run in 1903 primarily as a way to increase interest and sales in L’Auto, a sports-focused French newspaper (and the forerunner to the current L’Équipe newspaper). It has run annually ever since, save for breaks during the two World Wars. As its popularity increased, the race was lengthened into its current format of 21 day-long stages, held over a 23 day period – the same format as that used by the other Grand Tours, the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España.
Tour de France – Dawn Ellmore
Drais’s Laufmaschine
The predecessor to the modern bicycle was actually a device that assisted walking, which was designed by German inventor Karl Drais in the early 1800s. When this Laufmaschine gained popularity in France, Drais patented the design in 1818, using the French term velocipede. The machine had two in-line wheels and was straddled by the rider who pushed along the ground using their feet to propel it forwards. The rider could also coast downhill, and the front wheel was moveable to enable the machine to be steered. The design is rather like the modern day child’s balance bike, and more closely resembles the look of modern bicycles than many other bicycle designs which followed.
Pedal Velocipede
The next major development came in the 1860s, when a driving mechanism was added – French inventor Pierre Lallement filed for a US patent in 1866, attaching a rotary crank to the front wheel so that the rider can pedal the device instead of having to push. This can be seen as the starting point for modern pedal bicycles.
Velocipedes such as this were commonly known as “boneshakers” due to their rigid metal frames and wheels ensuring an uncomfortable ride. Rubber wheels wouldn’t be introduced until the late 1870s.
High Wheelers and Penny Farthings
Bicycle development continued in the late 19th Century, with one development in particular resulting in some iconic (albeit rather strange) designs. Working on the theory that a larger front wheel meant that the bicycle could travel further for each pedal rotation, designs for “high wheelers” (or penny farthings, as they became known) became popular.
Tour de France – Dawn Ellmore
Other advantages of this design were an increased speed and comfort – both as a result of the larger front wheel – although ultimately safety issues relating to the high centre of gravity of the rider meant that other designs were preferred.
The Starleys and the next generation of bicycle developments
James Starley is considered to be an early innovator in the bicycle industry, and in the late 1800s two of his relatives are credited with developments that can still be seen on bikes to this day.
William Starley is named as a co-inventor on an 1889 US patent for a tandem bicycle, the design of which is similar to tandems that are still used today. Meanwhile John Kemp Starley patented an anti-friction bearing which create much less wear through friction than previous models.
Tour de France – Dawn Ellmore
The Starleys were also behind the “Rover Safety Bicycle”, which had a tubular metal diamond-shaped frame and a chain-and-gear assembly which powered the back wheel, instead of the front. Both of these design features prevail and are standard on the vast majority of bicycles manufactured today.
About Dawn Ellmore Employment
Dawn Ellmore Employment was incorporated in 1995 and is a market leader in intellectual property and legal recruitment.
