When the first diamond frame bicycles became popular in the 1890s they were often called "wheels" - the national cycling association was called the "League of American Wheelmen." We have moved from "wheels" to "bikes," but the bicycles have remained remarkably the same over more than 100 years - elegant in their efficiency and simplicity. And many of the issues that we think are new? They were around then too.
Sunday, August 7, 2016
Bicycle News of 1896 - the Oddities
Image of the full page 40 of The Journal, newly online
This newspaper is described as follows: The New York Journal is an example of "Yellow Journalism," where the newspapers competed for readers through bold headlines, illustrations, and activist journalism. During 1896, the year of the so-called "bicycle craze," I see significant coverage of cycling, although there seems a heavy emphasis on oddities. All the stories on the page are about cycling.
A tiny tandem is considered unusual enough to merit a news item
Cyclist with a baby carriage trailer, again considered unusual
A three year old cyclist - a very young "scorcher"
Link to full page with text of stories for these illustrations.
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