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- 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.
- Comic Valentine, "To an Elderly Wheelwoman," circa 1895 - From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.
- circa 1895
- Collections - Artifact
Comic Valentine, "To an Elderly Wheelwoman," circa 1895
From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.
- "Les Velocipeaduses, C'est pas plus difficile que ca, Les Bain de Mer," circa 1870 - In the 1860s, French blacksmith Pierre Michaux added a pair of foot pedals to the front axle of a two-wheel velocipede. His breakthrough set the pattern for modern bicycles, though other inventors later developed chain-and-sprocket drives. This print shows two women pedaling their velocipedes in France. Its title roughly translates to English as "The Velocipedists, It's as Simple as That."
- circa 1870
- Collections - Artifact
"Les Velocipeaduses, C'est pas plus difficile que ca, Les Bain de Mer," circa 1870
In the 1860s, French blacksmith Pierre Michaux added a pair of foot pedals to the front axle of a two-wheel velocipede. His breakthrough set the pattern for modern bicycles, though other inventors later developed chain-and-sprocket drives. This print shows two women pedaling their velocipedes in France. Its title roughly translates to English as "The Velocipedists, It's as Simple as That."
- Lantern Slide, Two Young Women with a Bicycle, 1900-1910 - 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. Women found new mobility and independence on bicycles, and by the mid-1890s female riders represented about one-third of the active cyclists in the United States.
- 1900-1910
- Collections - Artifact
Lantern Slide, Two Young Women with a Bicycle, 1900-1910
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. Women found new mobility and independence on bicycles, and by the mid-1890s female riders represented about one-third of the active cyclists in the United States.
- Woman with a Bicycle, circa 1895 - Many women in the 1890s sought the benefits of bicycling. Women cyclists defied social norms and donned less restrictive clothing, like bloomers -- though the pant-like garment seen here has the full look of a skirt. Manufacturers also made bicycles specifically for women. The drop frame, seen in this photograph, made it easier for women in full skirts to mount and ride.
- circa 1895
- Collections - Artifact
Woman with a Bicycle, circa 1895
Many women in the 1890s sought the benefits of bicycling. Women cyclists defied social norms and donned less restrictive clothing, like bloomers -- though the pant-like garment seen here has the full look of a skirt. Manufacturers also made bicycles specifically for women. The drop frame, seen in this photograph, made it easier for women in full skirts to mount and ride.
- Edward B. Grossman & Co. Mail-Order Catalog for Summer, 1897 - Edward B. Grossman manufactured women's clothing and ran a successful mail order business in Chicago at the turn of the 20th century. This 1897 Spring/Summer catalog featured ready-made women's suits, capes, blouses, and girl's jackets. Also offered within its pages were a variety of bicycling outfits for women-in response to the bicycling craze of the 1890s.
- 1897
- Collections - Artifact
Edward B. Grossman & Co. Mail-Order Catalog for Summer, 1897
Edward B. Grossman manufactured women's clothing and ran a successful mail order business in Chicago at the turn of the 20th century. This 1897 Spring/Summer catalog featured ready-made women's suits, capes, blouses, and girl's jackets. Also offered within its pages were a variety of bicycling outfits for women-in response to the bicycling craze of the 1890s.
- Cyclist Margaret Kirkwood with a Bicycle, circa 1890 - Bicycles meant a measure of independence for many 1890s women. Margaret Kirkwood of Malden, Massachusetts, even brought hers to a portrait studio.
- circa 1890
- Collections - Artifact
Cyclist Margaret Kirkwood with a Bicycle, circa 1890
Bicycles meant a measure of independence for many 1890s women. Margaret Kirkwood of Malden, Massachusetts, even brought hers to a portrait studio.
- Monarch Bicycle Advertisement, "The Ladies' Favorite," 1897 - This Monarch Cycle Manufacturing Company ad from 1897 touted the company's machine as "The Ladies' Favorite." The arrival of the "safety" bicycle, like the one in the ad, provided women with greater freedom. Women donned less restrictive clothing to mount and pedal the machine. And they could venture, unescorted, farther away from home and family.
- 1897
- Collections - Artifact
Monarch Bicycle Advertisement, "The Ladies' Favorite," 1897
This Monarch Cycle Manufacturing Company ad from 1897 touted the company's machine as "The Ladies' Favorite." The arrival of the "safety" bicycle, like the one in the ad, provided women with greater freedom. Women donned less restrictive clothing to mount and pedal the machine. And they could venture, unescorted, farther away from home and family.
- "A Few Hints to Lady Cyclers : How to Ride, What to Wear and How to Wear It," 1890 - Bicycles promised freedom and mobility in the 1890s, but women found cycling difficult in restrictive 19th-century clothing. Drop-frame bikes accommodated long skirts, but bloomer pants were even better. <em>A Few Hints to Lady Cyclers</em> offered advice to women interested in taking up the sport, including suggestions for appropriate clothing -- though many of the book's essays were written by men.
- 1890
- Collections - Artifact
"A Few Hints to Lady Cyclers : How to Ride, What to Wear and How to Wear It," 1890
Bicycles promised freedom and mobility in the 1890s, but women found cycling difficult in restrictive 19th-century clothing. Drop-frame bikes accommodated long skirts, but bloomer pants were even better. A Few Hints to Lady Cyclers offered advice to women interested in taking up the sport, including suggestions for appropriate clothing -- though many of the book's essays were written by men.