Bicycle

Bicycle

Essential Question
1. How has the bicycle changed over the years?
Important Details about Bicycle
1. It is a simple machine that can be used for transportation or exercise and it is also fuel-efficient. A bicycle basically has two wheels built in a frame with a steering mechanism, a seat, brakes to stop the bicycle, and two petals that propel the wheels.
2. Background Story of Invention
  1. Leonardo da Vinci drew a contraption that looked like a bicycle in 1492.
  2. Baron Karl von Drais de Sauerbrun built a two wheeled machine that is propelled the rider's feet in the early 19th century.
  3. In 1840, a Scottish blacksmith, Kirkpatrick Macmillan built a simple machine with two petals. There was a rod that connected the petals to the wheel. It looked something like this.
  4. Pierre Lallement is a French Entrepreneur that demonstrated a machine like a bicycle in Paris in mid-1863. When the bicycle got popular in America, Lallement got a patient for it and sold it to an American entrepreneur Calvin Witty.
  5. In 1870, a new bicycle was built called the high-wheeler, Ordinary, or penny-farthing appeared. It was a bicycle with a large front wheel that was as large as 5 feet and a small rear wheel. The high-wheeler and other early models had solid tires made of iron or rubber.
  6. In 1885, J.K Stanley built the first safety bicycle that had wheels in equal sizes which was easier and safer for people to ride. That bicycle also had a chain-and-sprocket system.
  7. By the 1890, there was air-filled rubber tires instead of the solid wheels. Coaster brakes and adjustable handlebars were built at this time too.
  8. During the late 1800’s millions of people were riding bikes, but in the 1900’s the rapid development of the automobile caused the production and usage of bikes to fall drastically. It also made many people lose interest in biking too.
Impact on Society
1. General Effect
  1. A bicycle has provided society with a fuel-efficient way to transport from place to place. It is also a way to exercise. Over the year it has transformed into a sport that is competed all over the world. It is also an event in the Summer Olympics.
2. Economic
  1. There are twice as many bicycles as there are cars and they outsell automobiles 3 to 1.
3. Political
  1. The Netherlands, Denmark, and Japan actively promote bicycles for shopping and commuting.
4. Social
  1. Bicycle riding today is popular among people interested in improving physical fitness and reducing air pollution.
History/Background
1. Inventors
  1. Unknown
2. Contributers
  1. Although the inventor of the bicycle is unknown there were many contributors who sketched and built their own models
3. Date & Location of Invention
  1. Unknown
Interesting Fact: The bicycle in the early day in Europe was first known as vélocipède de pedale or draisienne.

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	Created by Reyhan N Sivji about 8 years ago