Search
- 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.
- The Bicycling World and L.A.W. Bulletin, Volume 25, 1892-1893 - Established in 1880, the League of American Wheelmen lobbied for the rights and interests of its more than 100,000 bicyclist members. The League published maps and guidebooks for riders, it organized meets and parades to promote its work, and it published magazines like the <em>L.A.W. Bulletin</em>. The <em>Bulletin</em> included cycling news and advertisements, as well as results from bicycle competitions.
- 09 September 1892-03 March 1893
- Collections - Artifact
The Bicycling World and L.A.W. Bulletin, Volume 25, 1892-1893
Established in 1880, the League of American Wheelmen lobbied for the rights and interests of its more than 100,000 bicyclist members. The League published maps and guidebooks for riders, it organized meets and parades to promote its work, and it published magazines like the L.A.W. Bulletin. The Bulletin included cycling news and advertisements, as well as results from bicycle competitions.
- 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.
- "Six-Day Bike Race Official Program," 1931 - Six-day bicycle races were popular from the 1880s into the 1930s. These extreme endurance competitions had cyclists riding continuously for six days with only brief stops for food or rest. The overall victory went to the rider who completed the most laps over the six-day period. Prize money could total several thousand dollars at a single event.
- 1931
- Collections - Artifact
"Six-Day Bike Race Official Program," 1931
Six-day bicycle races were popular from the 1880s into the 1930s. These extreme endurance competitions had cyclists riding continuously for six days with only brief stops for food or rest. The overall victory went to the rider who completed the most laps over the six-day period. Prize money could total several thousand dollars at a single event.
- George W. Nellis Jr. with a High-Wheel Bicycle, 1887 - George W. Nellis, Jr., had read about the pioneering cyclists who had pedaled across the continent in the mid-1880s. In 1887 he set off on his own adventure. Leaving his hometown of Herkimer, New York, Nellis traveled over 3000 miles in 72 days before reaching his destination, San Francisco, California. This photograph shows Nellis at the end of his journey.
- 1887
- Collections - Artifact
George W. Nellis Jr. with a High-Wheel Bicycle, 1887
George W. Nellis, Jr., had read about the pioneering cyclists who had pedaled across the continent in the mid-1880s. In 1887 he set off on his own adventure. Leaving his hometown of Herkimer, New York, Nellis traveled over 3000 miles in 72 days before reaching his destination, San Francisco, California. This photograph shows Nellis at the end of his journey.
- 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.
- Boy with a Bicycle, circa 1935 - American kids during the mid-1900s used their bikes to do odd jobs, go to and from school, or to travel the neighborhood. These bikes tended to be stocked with gadgets and add-ons, like lights, painted fenders, and storage carriers like the one in this photograph from the 1930s. The balloon tires allowed for a more cushioned ride over rough terrain.
- circa 1935
- Collections - Artifact
Boy with a Bicycle, circa 1935
American kids during the mid-1900s used their bikes to do odd jobs, go to and from school, or to travel the neighborhood. These bikes tended to be stocked with gadgets and add-ons, like lights, painted fenders, and storage carriers like the one in this photograph from the 1930s. The balloon tires allowed for a more cushioned ride over rough terrain.
- Norman Searl and Daughter on a Bicycle, circa 1935 - Norman Searl and his daughter pose for a photograph on a bicycle. The bike probably belonged to an older sister -- the drop frame is one clue that this is a bike for a girl, and other family photographs show an older girl with the bike. Children rode bicycles to and from school or around the neighborhood with family and friends.
- circa 1935
- Collections - Artifact
Norman Searl and Daughter on a Bicycle, circa 1935
Norman Searl and his daughter pose for a photograph on a bicycle. The bike probably belonged to an older sister -- the drop frame is one clue that this is a bike for a girl, and other family photographs show an older girl with the bike. Children rode bicycles to and from school or around the neighborhood with family and friends.