It’s a great day for a spin!
What's It Wednesdays
It’s a great day for a spin!
ACHC #1931.029.11
This may not be your choice for a bike ride. Nicknamed a “penny farthing” for the size of the wheels - the larger one, the British penny, the smaller one, the farthing - it was known as a high wheeler, an "ordinaire" and a velocipede. It was all the rage in the late 1860’s and 70’s.
It was an improvement. The “first” bicycle was made by a German inventor, Karl von Drais, who in 1818, patented his “running machine” of wood. It was the first steerable, two-wheeler with handlebar, wheels, but no pedals. Also called a hobby horse or dandy horse, the bike was propelled by the rider balancing the bike and walking along.
Baron Karl von Drais' Laufmaschine ("running machine") Public Domain
It wasn’t until the 1860’s that bicycles as we think of them were invented.
Several Frenchmen, Pierre Lallement, Aimé, René, and Marius Olivier, and Pierre Michaux are all credited with designing bicycles with pedals attached to the front wheels. They formed a partnership and in the late 1860s, the Michaux Company was the first to mass-produce the “Michaudine” velocipede. It was soon to be called a “bone-shaker.” Riding a wooden bicycle, with wooden or metal tires, along the cobblestone or rutted dirt roads, made for an uncomfortable ride.
New developments to the concept of a two-wheeled, mechanized, human propelled machine followed. The over-sized front wheel design of the "penny farthing" aimed for increased stability. It was extremely popular in the 1870s and 1880s although the height made it risky to ride.
In the late 1880s, the high-wheeler gave way to the “safety bicycle” with improvements like brakes, tires, and wheels of the same size. It is the design that lives on in today’s bicycles.
With these improvements the popularity of bicycles spread across the world. Bicycle clubs and races and, of course, bicycle dealers and repair shops sprang up across the US, including in Andover.
The Andover Advertiser newspaper of 1897, is filled with ads and articles about people and their bikes. From the July 23rd issue:
“Chat. E. Davies and son, Harry, took a spin on their bicycles to Hudson, N. H., last Saturday afternoon.”
“Frank B. Jenkins started on his bicycle last Monday for a week's trip through the White Mountains, by way of Plymouth then up the Lake by. steamer, stopping at Bethel.”
“Mrs. George A. Parker of Andover has purchased a new bicycle of Agent Colby.”
H. F. Chase was one of the prominent bike dealers in Andover. His sign made the paper in 1892.
“H. F. Chase has a novel sign over his shop door in the shape of the representation of a large bicycle wheel.”
ACHC #1987.598.177
Originally on Barnard St, Herbert F. Chase expanded his store to Main St. He started selling athletic equipment and sporting gear and outfitting the Phillips Academy teams.
ACHC # 1987.598.29
And he rode in many of the local bike races. This photo is of an Andover bike race to Georgetown, MA. Herbert F. Chase is in the front row, sixth from left.
Do you like to bike? I’d love to hear your stories and adventures.
Have a good ride!