Bicycle: The History

by David V. Herlihy

The first comprehensive history of the bicycle—lavishly illustrated with images spanning two centuries

During the nineteenth century, the bicycle evoked an exciting new world in which even a poor person could travel afar and at will. But was the “mechanical horse” truly destined to usher in a new era of road travel or would it remain merely a plaything for dandies and schoolboys? In Bicycle: The History (named by Outside magazine as the #1 book on bicycles), David Herlihy recounts the saga of this far-reaching invention and the passions it aroused. The pioneer racer James Moore insisted the bicycle would become “as common as umbrellas.” Mark Twain was more skeptical, enjoining his readers to “get a bicycle. You will not regret it—if you live.”

Because we live in an age of cross-country bicycle racing and high-tech mountain bikes, we may overlook the decades of development and ingenuity that transformed the basic concept of human-powered transportation into a marvel of engineering. This lively and engrossing history retraces the extraordinary story of the bicycle—a history of disputed patents, brilliant inventions, and missed opportunities. Herlihy shows us why the bicycle captured the public’s imagination and the myriad ways in which it reshaped our world.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Cycling, Bicycles, Microhistory, Sports, Coffee Table Books

480 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

David V. Herlihy (born July 30, 1958) is an author and historian. He is notable for writing Bicycle: The History, published by Yale University Press, and Lost Cyclist: The Epic Tale of an American Adventurer and His Mysterious Disappearance. He has also presented at the International Cycling History Conference and has published an opinion piece on cycling in The New York Times. He graduated from Harvard University in 1980 and is an alumnus of the Harvard Cycling Club. He is the son of noted historians David and Patricia Herlihy.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of the book lays out an excellently researched case for which were the significant along the history that led from the running machine of von Drais to the safety bicycle. We learn that the direct pedal crank was a much more surprisingly effective innovation than its simplicity may otherwise indicate; more complicated treadle linkages had been tried before and continue to be tried. This book is at its best when developments are discussed in the context of class and social context; early advocates tended to be affluent young males, though they often had lofty thoughts about the democratizing possibilities of the invention. The role of the bicycle in lifting Victorian women's dress codes is well known but far too little notice is given here (and elsewhere) to Marshall Taylor.

However, when we step into the 20th century this book's treatment becomes much more scattered; we disconcertingly pass from the Rover era to a discussion of modern utility cycling and back again. Instead of placing the developments of 20th century cycling inside social and cultural context, as had been done with the 19th century timeline, we have disjointed separate treatments of each 'discipline' of cycling. One wishes that the excellent historical work of the first sections of the book could have been carried for a few more decades.

[Jacob · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of the more disappointing books of the year. I enjoy bicycles and their history, but this book promises too much. For those who desire detailed history that has probably never been presented in one volume this may be what you are looking for. The virtue was that almost everything in bicycle history happened in 1861. Or maybe this is a pain. A full 50% of the pages chronicle what happened this year. every time i turned a page i was hoping we would advance into 1862, but alas, this did not happen until a scant few pages toward the end suddenly brought me to 2000.

There is very little history on any other type of bicycles other than the earliest types that just developed after the velocipede. I was disappointed to see a mere 1 page devoted to BMX.

[Jason T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great bicycle history from beginning to ~1900. Very informative with lots of contemporary references. Every reading session was a learning experience... excellent!

The rest of the bicycle's history through the 20th century and early 2000s...is much more superficial and spotty. All of the BMX history is condensed into a one page insert, and was obviously written with no real knowledge of that bicycle movement and the disciplines that it evolved into. Same could be said for Motobikes, tank bikes of the 30s-60s, muscle bikes, etc. They were all described very briefly without mentioning how influential those eras were, how long they lasted, how they evolved, etc...essentially dismissed as juvenile bicycles. The 20th century was mostly described as three types of bikes and then there was a '70s boom.

The book should have just been framed as the bicycle through ~1910… and the later sections left out.

[Sarah Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost everything you could ever want to know about the invention and evolution of the bicycle. If you are as nerdy as me, you will love this book.

[T.R. Ormond · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a history of the cultural reception of the bicycle, it's pretty much all here. Other books go into greater detail about specific points, such as design and production (Bicycle Design by Hadley and Lessing), the impact on society and especially women (Social History of Cycling by Smith; The Mechanical Horse by Guroff), racing (Women on the Move by Gilles), race (Major by Balf; Boston's Cycling Craze by Finison), and the psychology of the first cyclotourists (When Bikehood was in Flower by Leonard). Herlihy's book gives, in my opinion, the most thorough presentation of the history as it occurred in the US and to a lesser extent in the UK. For a history of cycling in Europe and Asia, Herlihy's book has less to offer.

Beautifully supplemented with contemporary illustrations and photos. Thoroughly referenced.

[Harve Lemelin · Rating 3 out of 5]

If people are looking for a synopsis of the history of the bike this isn't it. For this is a comprehensive overview of the origins of the bike from the velocipede to the high-wheeler and tricycles, rovers, and more modern bikes of the 20th century. Although the book was published in 2004, the most important technological innovations in biking are covered. The only drawback to the book is the discussion around Lance Armstrong.

[Lesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

[Nimesh]

Good

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where did the bicycle come from? Bicycle: the History tells the story in exacting detail, beginning in the 19th century. An age of progress and scientific triumph, wherein everyday life was constantly being revolutionized by inventions, it set many people to work finding a way to improve personal transportation. Surely we could do better than moving our feet back and forth -- so primitive! Why not do that on a set of wheels, instead? The first bike-like things were conceived as mere aides to running, driven by their riders striking the ground with their feet. It took decades before pedals, brakes, comfortable seats, and the like were added to those first frames to make what we could recognize as a bike. In the intervening half-century, inventors pursued other avenues, coming up with bizarrely huge machines driven forward by people turning cranks with their hands, or the amusing high-wheeled bicycles, which required a ladder and the 19th century equivalent of an oxygen mask to cope with the thinner air. Most of the improvements made to these early bikes, or velocipedes, created faddish vehicles that became national obsessions that lasted for a year or so before suddenly fading away into oblivion. The high-wheels had more staying power, but eventually they were humbled by simple improvements made to the original idea -- and lo, the Safety Bicycle. Alas for it, it had scarcely come onto the scene before the motorized, horseless carriage also came sputtering and coughing onto the road, and the 20th century belonged more to the automobile than the humble bicycle. This was especially true in the United States, but not quite as much in Europe or in China, where space and poverty (respectively) limited motoring's expansion. Bicycle is most thorough, at least in covering the 19th century: at times it offers a year by year account of the velociopeding fads, at times verging on plodding when it fixates on patent battles. Though sometimes technical, Bicycle also covers the human aspect in full, demonstrating how bicycle usage changed patterns of dress and social mores, and began working the general culture. The text is also replete with scores of historical photographs, many gorgeous, which liven up any dry spots. Though it could have used more information on the 20th century, on the whole this is an impressively thorough history.

[Ryan Marquardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a big, colorful book that is as close to a monograph on the bicycle as I can imagine. It spans the time period from when human-powered transportation (aside from walking/running) was in its nessiance to the carbonfibered dual shocked hydraulic braked MTB bikes of today.

The illustrations, sidebars, and photos make it an enjoyable book. I agree with one of the other reviewers that it could have used more editing. It is not difficult to follow where the author is going, but it could be more concise.

It was interesting to read this book at a time and place where the bicycle is going though a re-surgence (2006, Portland, OR). It is amazing to read the book then look at your bike a realize the technological evolution behind it and that its older siblings were THE thing back in the early 1900s. The Columbia bike company, for example, was big and profitable enough (for a time) to support a small city of workers and give rediculoulsy progressive work benefits and conditions.

In a way it makes you yearn to be in a time period where biking was popular, practical, and respected (i.e., before cars took over!). I feel like Portland is on the path to restoring the bicycle to its former status, but obviously has a way to go in terms of the share of trips and perception from the automobiling public. Musings aside, this was a fun book to read. Very informative on a wide range on time periods, bicycle styles/events, techonology, and social reprecussions of the bicycle.

[Macartney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth it alone for the collection of vintage bicycle posters, editorial cartoons, photographs and other such graphic ephemera. But rather frustrating as a general history of the bicycle and cycling. Herlihy has done so much research, I just wish he hadn't included it all in the pages. A clear, dynamic narrative gets lost in his endless recounting of races and rinks and "boom and bust" eras. If you are going to mention every Tom, Dick or Harry involved in the first 100 years of cycling, at least try to make those characters interesting and alive; but instead the drama stays flat on the page and never achieves lift off. In addition, the 20th century is relegated to mere pages and probably should just be cut from the book entirely. Overall, the book is useful to skim or as a resource for future writers and researchers, but not for a general audience.

[cellomerl · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. I posted a previous I-give-up review. Some people might enjoy this book, but I didn't, and I'm disappointed because I was so excited about reading it! On the plus side, it is beautifully produced with really elegant illustrations, and it's very comprehensive. But dull, dull, dull...too many direct quotes from other sources (lazy writing), and can we please get off the velocipede already? I love bicycles. They are my favourite of the simple machines (next to rowing shells), but I was hoping for something both informative and entertaining. Alas, this is one out of two.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressively researched and comprehensive in the 19th century development of the bicycle. Herlihy's work explains the leap from the velocipede to the bicycle, to the high wheel, to the safety bike. The final few chapters rush through the most recent half of the twentieth century and the closing chapter, on the future prospects of cycling, is less-than-satisfying. But for a solid historical basis to bikes, it's a good start.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

a history of the bicycle, from the first hobby-horse devices, on to the old wood and wrought iron boneshakers, up to todays ridiculously light carbon-fiber bikes (i can lift them with my pinky finger)... and beyond!

3/4 of the book covers the years, roughly 1840 - 1900. I'd be interested in reading a bit more detail about the last hundred years of bicycling. Any recommendations?

[Emily Lakdawalla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had never really thought about the history of the bicycle, and discovered a lot of strange and interesting facts about the bicycle while reading this book; I learned quite a lot. The pictures are excellent. However, the book would have benefited from a sterner editor. A lot of the material is repetitive; it seems that half of the text could have been cut with very little lost.

[Kyle Boggs]

This book was really cool. Lots of great pictures and illustrations, which serve as a really interesting history from the velocipede to the bikes we enjoy today. I do think some topics were glossed over, such as the social effect the bicycle had on women in the victorian age or how the bike "booms" in our country were related to oil scares and stuff like that.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love bikes, and this history was interesting, but really long-winded at times. Overall, I enjoyed it, but probably wouldn't consider picking it up for a re-read until I can't remember anything about it.

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not that well written but a complete history about the beginnings of the bike. Interesting how anyone on a bike was compared to loose people who gambled or caroused. Bicyclers were not allowed into dance halls. (Maybe how we view "bikers" today.) :-)

audio book

[Julian Pecenco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bicycle is a fascinating and wonderfully thorough history of the two-wheeler, tracing the quest for a "mechanical horse" through the centuries to the present day, with many incarnations along the way. A wonderful read for anyone interested in bicycles, history and/or technology.

[Eddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bicycles are a menace to civilization! A toy reserved for the rich! Popular only in Europe. Unsafe! Designed only for racing, not for ordinary people. Held back by petty patent suits between manufacturers. Scandalized by dopes and cheats!

And that was the 19th century. We've come a long way!

[Alden · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://www.bookpage.com/0412bp/nonfic...

[Mary]

Who knew some guy named James Moore won the first race in the precurser to (would later become) Le Tour!?!

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at the history of bicycles, especially the early efforts to create man powered vehicles. The pictures are amazing. This is a big book, best read a chapter or two at a time.

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

lotsa words....local author...ton's of historical photos

[Dustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful-looking book with great illustrations. The text was a little dry but worth reading for cyclists.

[Doug Cornelius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative, but not great to read.

[Nikhil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book: informative, interesting, entertaining, tons of old pictures and diagrams and very well written.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belongs on the shelf as art and a reference , the historical first part being full of detail. Best kept with "A social history of the bicycle"

[Carl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very dry, do not be fooled by the beautiful illustration on the cover. Not much more than that in the way of eye candy.

[Justin Dove · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a well-researched history of the bicycle that included a lot of wonderful pictures and illustrations. I think the book could have benefitted from a little clearer organization.