99% Invisible The Safety Bicycle
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Oct 25, 2022 Jody Rosen, author of "Two Wheels Good: The History and Mystery of the Bicycle," dives into the fascinating journey of bicycles from the early running machine to the safety bicycle that revolutionized transport. He discusses how bicycles impacted women's rights and became symbols of freedom in the 19th century. Rosen also highlights their role in significant protests, like Tiananmen Square, and explores the future of cycling amidst car-centric urban environments. Plus, he addresses how e-bikes are making cycling more accessible for everyone!
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Bicycle's Late Arrival
- The bicycle's invention is surprisingly late, arriving during the steam locomotive era.
- The basic mechanics are simple, yet it took centuries of trial and error to perfect.
Human-Machine Fusion
- The bicycle's natural feel makes its late arrival seem odd.
- Riders become both passenger and engine, creating a unique human-machine fusion.
The Running Machine
- Karl von Drais's running machine (1817) was a pedal-less bicycle propelled by scooting.
- It spread across Europe, leading to short-lived crazes.
