Herlihy D. Bicycle: The History

Yale University Press, 2004. — 458 p.In this, the definitive history of the bicycle, David Herlihy recounts the saga of this far-reaching invention and the passions it aroused. 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.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.The Pre-History
The Elusive Mechanical Horse
The Draisine Abroad
Wheels and WoesThe "Boneshaker" Era
The Bicycle Breakthrough
The American Adventure
European DevelopmentThe "High Wheel" Era
The High Mount Prevails
The Pinnacle of the High Wheeler
Growing Safety ConcernsThe "Safety" Era
The Rise of the Rover
The Bicycle Boom
Legacy of the BoomThe Twentieth Century
Utilitarian Cycling
Recreational Cycling
Competitive Cycling
Conclusion: Cycling into the FutureIllustration Credits