Recycle alert: this was originally in my AH newsletter in summer of 2008
The south's early lead in HighWheeler or bicycle technology was doubly ironic, first because the first recognizable bicycle was actually built in Philadelphia in 1854, and second because its inventor, Irving Blanchard, was an ardent Abolitionist.
Blanchard's invention, which he called the "Fast Foot", enjoyed a brief period of popularity in Philadelphia and other northern cities. It also spread to England and France. The period of popularity was brief, and the Fast Foot's nickname 'boneshaker' gives a pretty good indication of why its popularity faded. The Fast Foot was made entirely of wood, including its tires. That made for a very rough ride on the cobblestone or dirt roads of the mid-1850s.
The bicycle fad faded quickly from the northern cities. Blanchard had sunk a great deal of money into building his machines. His company went bankrupt in 1856.
While some southern historians claim that South Carolina inventor Anthony Archer invented his series of bicycles independently, it is almost certain that he was aware of Blanchard's work prior to building his first machine in 1856. Archer started with machines much like the Fast Foot, but he quickly realized that metal construction of the frame was key to a successful machine. Unfortunately, the metal working of the day was not up to the demands of building the designs Archer had in mind. However, Anthony Archer was able to interest his uncle, Robert Archer in the problem. Robert Archer played a major role in the Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond Virginia, and he was able to produce the necessary parts for the first metal bicycle in 1859.
Metal bicycles were somewhat lighter, sturdier and more manageable than wooden ones, and Archer's Sumter Bicycle Works was modestly successful, primarily around its headquarters in Charlestown South Carolina. Archer's bicycles still had a very rough ride though, and with their peddles attached directly to the front wheels they were limited in their speed.
Bicycle racing was becoming popular in areas around Charlestown, and other southern cities, especially Richmond. That put a premium on speed. Without a workable chain system, the easiest way to make a bicycle faster was to make the front wheel bigger. Through 1860, Archer and several upstart competitors in the bicycle industry competed to put bigger and bigger front wheels on their bikes, as rear wheels shrank. The big wheels made for a somewhat better ride, and it also increased speed. Public enthusiasm for bicycle racing spread, as did trails designed specially for the new vehicles.
The racing fad spread to France and England, but not to the northern cities of the US with their previous bad experience with the "boneshakers". In the south, bicycles quickly developed to the classic high-wheeler configuration, with front wheels as large as the owners leg length could handle.
The south's early lead in HighWheeler or bicycle technology was doubly ironic, first because the first recognizable bicycle was actually built in Philadelphia in 1854, and second because its inventor, Irving Blanchard, was an ardent Abolitionist.
Blanchard's invention, which he called the "Fast Foot", enjoyed a brief period of popularity in Philadelphia and other northern cities. It also spread to England and France. The period of popularity was brief, and the Fast Foot's nickname 'boneshaker' gives a pretty good indication of why its popularity faded. The Fast Foot was made entirely of wood, including its tires. That made for a very rough ride on the cobblestone or dirt roads of the mid-1850s.
The bicycle fad faded quickly from the northern cities. Blanchard had sunk a great deal of money into building his machines. His company went bankrupt in 1856.
While some southern historians claim that South Carolina inventor Anthony Archer invented his series of bicycles independently, it is almost certain that he was aware of Blanchard's work prior to building his first machine in 1856. Archer started with machines much like the Fast Foot, but he quickly realized that metal construction of the frame was key to a successful machine. Unfortunately, the metal working of the day was not up to the demands of building the designs Archer had in mind. However, Anthony Archer was able to interest his uncle, Robert Archer in the problem. Robert Archer played a major role in the Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond Virginia, and he was able to produce the necessary parts for the first metal bicycle in 1859.
Metal bicycles were somewhat lighter, sturdier and more manageable than wooden ones, and Archer's Sumter Bicycle Works was modestly successful, primarily around its headquarters in Charlestown South Carolina. Archer's bicycles still had a very rough ride though, and with their peddles attached directly to the front wheels they were limited in their speed.
Bicycle racing was becoming popular in areas around Charlestown, and other southern cities, especially Richmond. That put a premium on speed. Without a workable chain system, the easiest way to make a bicycle faster was to make the front wheel bigger. Through 1860, Archer and several upstart competitors in the bicycle industry competed to put bigger and bigger front wheels on their bikes, as rear wheels shrank. The big wheels made for a somewhat better ride, and it also increased speed. Public enthusiasm for bicycle racing spread, as did trails designed specially for the new vehicles.
The racing fad spread to France and England, but not to the northern cities of the US with their previous bad experience with the "boneshakers". In the south, bicycles quickly developed to the classic high-wheeler configuration, with front wheels as large as the owners leg length could handle.