On a bicycle meant for two
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An ecologically-sound means of transport, the bicycle does not contribute to the Greenhouse effect.
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The bicycle won the online poll for the most significant innovation since 1880 for its simplicity of design, universal use and its durability.
PHOTO: AFP
A PENNY-FARTHING BICYCLE: Also referred to as the High or Ordinary bicycle. It was invented by engineer James Starley (uncle of John Starley).
Recently, listeners of `You and Yours' programme of the BBC Radio 4's were invited to vote for the most significant innovation since 1800. Over 4,500 voters participated. The result was an easy victory for the bicycle. While 59 per cent voted for the bicycle only eight per cent voted for the transistor, the next on the list.
People chose the bicycle for its simplicity of design, universal use, and durability. The bicycle is the only ecologically sound means of transport ever invented. Yet, because of this simplicity it gets ignored.
Invention claims
Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks show that he sketched a facsimile of the modern bicycle, in 1490. But, like many of his visionary ideas, this one too never left the drawing board. However, some people say this sketch is a forgery.
As for the real inventor of bicycle there never has been any conclusive answer to this vexed question. The current thinking is that it more or less evolved over a period of 50 years, during the first half of the19th century, ever since a German, Baron Karl Drais von Sauerbronn, invented the "Laufmaschine" or "Running Machine", a type of pre-bicycle. Later Pierre and Ernest Michaux, the French father and son team of carriage-makers, invented the first practical bicycle during the 1860s. In 1885, in England, John Kemp Starley produced the first successful safety bicycle, called the "Rover". The word Rover came from the machine on which people roved over the countryside. It featured two equal sized wheels and a chain drive to the rear wheel. It was widely imitated.
Meanwhile, in 1888, John Boyd Dunlop introduced pneumatic tyres to the wheels, instead of solid rubber tyres. It made for a much smoother ride. Some people also credit an English mechanic Macmillan making a still improved version. However, since 1890 there has been hardly any worthwhile improvement on the bicycle. It remains basically what it was in 1888.
These days, once again in the West the governments are trying to promote the use of bicycles by allotting specific tracks for bicycles on the ground that this machine will check atmospheric pollution and thus the Greenhouse Effect.
Now, that is some achievement! No wonder the bicycle won the BBC poll.
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Perfect machine
The bicycle is the only vehicle that does not require fuel to run. Hence, it is pollution free and the cost of running it is nil. And once you have bought it there will not be any large-scale expense to maintain it except for the occasional puncture.
Over a short distance, especially in small towns, it is quick. It takes you through even the narrowest of lanes.
The beauty of the bicycle lies in the fact that since the first practical bicycle was put to use it has not been possible to introduce any substantial improvement in the machine. That makes it a perfect machine.
RAMESH SETH
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