Bicycle. Illustrated History

Since its appearance at the beginning of the XIX century, bicycles have not lost popularity. Their number in the world has reached an impressive figure — more than a billion copies. With the huge variety of types, models and functionality of bicycles that exists today, the history of this vehicle was not easy and exciting. Leading experts in the history of engineering and technology Tony Hadland and Hans Erhard Lessing investigated the key stages of the evolution of the bicycle from the first prototypes to ultra-modern machines. Based on an impressive volume of materials, including specialized patent documentation, accompanied by more than 300 unique illustrations, the book shows the development of the technical characteristics of bicycles and their individual components, including seats, transmission, brakes, lighting devices and devices for transporting cargo and passengers (trunks, bicycle bags, seat bags, trailers and child seats). "We will look at the early stages of the bicycle's development at a time when it was still far from its most perfect and stable form — a safe device with a frame of classical geometry. We will follow the further development and improvement of bicycles with various specifics of use, including racing, folding and off-road. We are also investigating the evolution of the functional components of the bike needed to improve speed performance, comfortable riding and convenience of luggage transportation." (Tony Hadland, Hans Erhard Lessing)

Author: Hadland Tony, Lessing Hans Erhard
Year of publication: 2019