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- Thomas Sheridan, Professional Bicyclist, circa 1890 - Thomas F. Sheridan was a cyclist and active in the League of American Wheelmen. He served as vice president of that organization in the 1890s. League members were early advocates of good roads and the rights of cyclists.
- circa 1890
- Collections - Artifact
Thomas Sheridan, Professional Bicyclist, circa 1890
Thomas F. Sheridan was a cyclist and active in the League of American Wheelmen. He served as vice president of that organization in the 1890s. League members were early advocates of good roads and the rights of cyclists.
- Cyclist Eugene Valentine with Bicycle and Medals, 1870-1887 - Cyclist Eugene Valentine posed with his high-wheel bicycle in this 1887 cabinet card photograph. Valentine adorned his jersey with a number of medals and pins probably awarded at cycling competitions. Three trophies also appear in the image.
- December 29, 1887
- Collections - Artifact
Cyclist Eugene Valentine with Bicycle and Medals, 1870-1887
Cyclist Eugene Valentine posed with his high-wheel bicycle in this 1887 cabinet card photograph. Valentine adorned his jersey with a number of medals and pins probably awarded at cycling competitions. Three trophies also appear in the image.
- Bicycle Racer H. Arnold, circa 1890 - This cabinet card pictures H. Arnold, a racer in the early 1890s. Arnold competed in various bicycle meets in the early 1890s, but was overshadowed by other speedsters of the period.
- circa 1890
- Collections - Artifact
Bicycle Racer H. Arnold, circa 1890
This cabinet card pictures H. Arnold, a racer in the early 1890s. Arnold competed in various bicycle meets in the early 1890s, but was overshadowed by other speedsters of the period.
- Kodak Circular Photograph of Two Men with Bicycles, 1889-1897 - Bicycle riding became popular in the late 19th century, particularly after the introduction of the safety bike in the mid-1880s. Unlike earlier high wheelers with large front wheels, safety bicycles had two wheels of the same modest size, making it much easier to climb on and off the vehicle. The two men here posed for the camera with their safety bicycles.
- 1889-1897
- Collections - Artifact
Kodak Circular Photograph of Two Men with Bicycles, 1889-1897
Bicycle riding became popular in the late 19th century, particularly after the introduction of the safety bike in the mid-1880s. Unlike earlier high wheelers with large front wheels, safety bicycles had two wheels of the same modest size, making it much easier to climb on and off the vehicle. The two men here posed for the camera with their safety bicycles.
- Husband and Wife with a High-Wheel Bicycle and Tricycle, 1887 - Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Reynolds posed with their vehicles in this 1887 photograph. Mr. Reynolds' high-wheel bicycle was difficult to mount especially if one dressed like Mrs. Reynolds. Women, however, did not concede the benefits of cycling to men; tricycles were available, women donned less restrictive clothing to mount high-wheelers, and low-mount "safety" bikes were becoming more popular.
- January 11, 1887
- Collections - Artifact
Husband and Wife with a High-Wheel Bicycle and Tricycle, 1887
Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Reynolds posed with their vehicles in this 1887 photograph. Mr. Reynolds' high-wheel bicycle was difficult to mount especially if one dressed like Mrs. Reynolds. Women, however, did not concede the benefits of cycling to men; tricycles were available, women donned less restrictive clothing to mount high-wheelers, and low-mount "safety" bikes were becoming more popular.
- Endorsement for Kitchel's Liniment, Showing Barney Oldfield Riding a Bicycle, 1896 - Automobile racing legend Barney Oldfield began his racing career on two wheels. In 1894, the sixteen-year-old Ohioan entered his first bicycle race -- he finished second. Over the next several years, the young cyclist competed in a number of competitions throughout the country. The budding showman also found time to promote various products, like Kitchel's Liniment.
- 1896
- Collections - Artifact
Endorsement for Kitchel's Liniment, Showing Barney Oldfield Riding a Bicycle, 1896
Automobile racing legend Barney Oldfield began his racing career on two wheels. In 1894, the sixteen-year-old Ohioan entered his first bicycle race -- he finished second. Over the next several years, the young cyclist competed in a number of competitions throughout the country. The budding showman also found time to promote various products, like Kitchel's Liniment.
- The Orient "Oriten" Ten-Person Bicycle with Cyclists, Waltham, Massachusetts, circa 1900 - 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. The vehicle, though, was difficult to ride. This photograph shows ten men seated on the cycle.
- circa 1900
- Collections - Artifact
The Orient "Oriten" Ten-Person Bicycle with Cyclists, Waltham, Massachusetts, circa 1900
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. The vehicle, though, was difficult to ride. This photograph shows ten men seated on the cycle.
- T. J. Kirkpatrick, President of the League of American Wheelmen, with Velocipede, circa 1889 - Thomas J. Kirkpatrick of Springfield, Ohio, was elected president of the League of American Wheelmen (LAW) in 1887 and 1888. LAW promoted the benefits of cycling and advocated for the creation of better roads. Kirkpatrick would go on to patent a bicycle saddle in the late 1890s.
- circa 1885
- Collections - Artifact
T. J. Kirkpatrick, President of the League of American Wheelmen, with Velocipede, circa 1889
Thomas J. Kirkpatrick of Springfield, Ohio, was elected president of the League of American Wheelmen (LAW) in 1887 and 1888. LAW promoted the benefits of cycling and advocated for the creation of better roads. Kirkpatrick would go on to patent a bicycle saddle in the late 1890s.
- Man with a Bicycle, 1870-1900 - The Bay State Bicycle Club of Worcester, Massachusetts, was organized in 1887. It held cycling tournaments and racing meets, but also provided touring events for its members. Members could wear lettered pullovers and embroidered caps, like those seen in this photo, touting their club affiliation when out on these rides.
- 1870-1900
- Collections - Artifact
Man with a Bicycle, 1870-1900
The Bay State Bicycle Club of Worcester, Massachusetts, was organized in 1887. It held cycling tournaments and racing meets, but also provided touring events for its members. Members could wear lettered pullovers and embroidered caps, like those seen in this photo, touting their club affiliation when out on these rides.
- 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.