Search
- Group Posing with Bicycles, 1898-1906 - Bicycle riding became a popular American pastime in the late 19th century, particularly after the introduction of the safety bike -- with front and rear wheels of the same size -- in the mid-1880s. The men in this tintype, taken in a studio, used safety bicycles as props with which to pose for a group portrait.
- 1898-1906
- Collections - Artifact
Group Posing with Bicycles, 1898-1906
Bicycle riding became a popular American pastime in the late 19th century, particularly after the introduction of the safety bike -- with front and rear wheels of the same size -- in the mid-1880s. The men in this tintype, taken in a studio, used safety bicycles as props with which to pose for a group portrait.
- Columbia Bicycles Sales Catalog, 1892 - The Pope Manufacturing Company produced this catalog to sell Columbia bicycles in 1892. Buyers could choose between a number of "safety" and high-wheel cycles after paging through the catalog. The company also provided descriptions of bicycle accessories available. And if you were unsure about this new mode of transportation, check out page 38 on why you should ride a bicycle.
- 1892
- Collections - Artifact
Columbia Bicycles Sales Catalog, 1892
The Pope Manufacturing Company produced this catalog to sell Columbia bicycles in 1892. Buyers could choose between a number of "safety" and high-wheel cycles after paging through the catalog. The company also provided descriptions of bicycle accessories available. And if you were unsure about this new mode of transportation, check out page 38 on why you should ride a bicycle.
- Newspaper Delivery on Bicycles, circa 1935 - In America during most of the twentieth century, while adults motored around, children pedaled. Bikes transported children to and from school and around the neighborhood with friends. Bikes also were a vehicle for doing odd jobs. This young entrepreneur used his bike to deliver newspapers in Olean, New York.
- circa 1935
- Collections - Artifact
Newspaper Delivery on Bicycles, circa 1935
In America during most of the twentieth century, while adults motored around, children pedaled. Bikes transported children to and from school and around the neighborhood with friends. Bikes also were a vehicle for doing odd jobs. This young entrepreneur used his bike to deliver newspapers in Olean, New York.
- Advertisement, "Eclipse Bicycles Stand the Test," 1896 - In 1895, Tom Winder pedaled around the border of the United States. His journey of more than 20,000 miles took 274 days. Winder rode a stock bicycle made by the Eclipse Bicycle Company. The company used Winder's feat to advertise the quality, strength, and reliability of its product.
- 1896
- Collections - Artifact
Advertisement, "Eclipse Bicycles Stand the Test," 1896
In 1895, Tom Winder pedaled around the border of the United States. His journey of more than 20,000 miles took 274 days. Winder rode a stock bicycle made by the Eclipse Bicycle Company. The company used Winder's feat to advertise the quality, strength, and reliability of its product.
- Three Children with Bicycles, circa 1940 - The Searl family children show off their bikes (and tricycle) in this photograph from about 1940. American kids used their bikes to do odd jobs, go to and from school, or travel the neighborhood with family or friends. Children's bikes tended to be heavy and stocked with gadgets and add-ons (like lights and baskets).
- circa 1940
- Collections - Artifact
Three Children with Bicycles, circa 1940
The Searl family children show off their bikes (and tricycle) in this photograph from about 1940. American kids used their bikes to do odd jobs, go to and from school, or travel the neighborhood with family or friends. Children's bikes tended to be heavy and stocked with gadgets and add-ons (like lights and baskets).
- "Schwinn 1990 BMX and Youth Bicycles" - Bicycle Motocross -- or BMX -- bicycles grew popular with young riders starting in the 1970s. Modeled after motorcycles, BMX bikes were designed for dirt tracks and featured light frames, strong wheels, sturdy hand grips, and low gearing. The rugged bikes were widely used in racing and in stunt riding.
- 1990
- Collections - Artifact
"Schwinn 1990 BMX and Youth Bicycles"
Bicycle Motocross -- or BMX -- bicycles grew popular with young riders starting in the 1970s. Modeled after motorcycles, BMX bikes were designed for dirt tracks and featured light frames, strong wheels, sturdy hand grips, and low gearing. The rugged bikes were widely used in racing and in stunt riding.
- Catalog for Columbia Bicycles, Pope Manufacturing Company, 1891 - In 1891 cyclists had choices. High-wheels were popular, especially among the young athletic set. The new "safety," with its same-sized wheels and easy mount, was gaining popularity among the general public. And tricycles had a following -- a favorite among wealthy women and the well-to-do. The Pope Manufacturing Company -- America's leading bicycle producer -- offered all these options in this catalog.
- 1891
- Collections - Artifact
Catalog for Columbia Bicycles, Pope Manufacturing Company, 1891
In 1891 cyclists had choices. High-wheels were popular, especially among the young athletic set. The new "safety," with its same-sized wheels and easy mount, was gaining popularity among the general public. And tricycles had a following -- a favorite among wealthy women and the well-to-do. The Pope Manufacturing Company -- America's leading bicycle producer -- offered all these options in this catalog.
- "Fifty Years of Schwinn-Built Bicycles," 1945 - Schwinn celebrated half a century in business in 1945. Ignaz Schwinn and Adolph Arnold formed the company in Chicago during the 1890s bicycle boom. Motorcycles joined the lineup in the 1910s. By the time this book was published, Ignaz's son, Frank W. Schwinn, was in charge. Frank successfully refocused the company's efforts on children's bikes.
- 1895-1945
- Collections - Artifact
"Fifty Years of Schwinn-Built Bicycles," 1945
Schwinn celebrated half a century in business in 1945. Ignaz Schwinn and Adolph Arnold formed the company in Chicago during the 1890s bicycle boom. Motorcycles joined the lineup in the 1910s. By the time this book was published, Ignaz's son, Frank W. Schwinn, was in charge. Frank successfully refocused the company's efforts on children's bikes.
- Bicycles - Charles Metz of Waltham, Massachusetts, built the Orient Oriten in 1896 as a way to promote his Orient line of bicycles. Metz featured this 23-foot-long, 305-pound ten-seater at bicycle meets and races throughout the country. Though difficult to ride, the vehicle could reach speeds of 45 miles per hour. The Henry Ford owns the only surviving Oriten.
- May 06, 2025
- Collections - Set
Bicycles
Charles Metz of Waltham, Massachusetts, built the Orient Oriten in 1896 as a way to promote his Orient line of bicycles. Metz featured this 23-foot-long, 305-pound ten-seater at bicycle meets and races throughout the country. Though difficult to ride, the vehicle could reach speeds of 45 miles per hour. The Henry Ford owns the only surviving Oriten.
- Gormully and Jeffery Manufacturing Company Rambler Bicycles, 1895 - Gormully and Jeffery, maker of the Rambler bicycle, published this catalog in 1895. The pages contain specifications and images for a number of bicycles, and sections on the details of construction. Like most catalogs, the company praised its machines and quality manufacturing above all others.
- 1895
- Collections - Artifact
Gormully and Jeffery Manufacturing Company Rambler Bicycles, 1895
Gormully and Jeffery, maker of the Rambler bicycle, published this catalog in 1895. The pages contain specifications and images for a number of bicycles, and sections on the details of construction. Like most catalogs, the company praised its machines and quality manufacturing above all others.