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As a matter of fact, bicycles are one of the oldest and most refined technologies available to us. Bicycles can hardly be considered an old technology. While D
by othello 16y ago
As a matter of fact, bicycles are one of the oldest and most refined technologies available to us.
Bicycles can hardly be considered an old technology. While Da Vinci had already sketched some designs in the late 15th century [1], the first prototypes could not be built before the early 19th century.
The first recognizable version of the current chain-driven models was only produced in 1885. [2]
The chain-driven bicycle is not as simple as it looks.
[1] http://www.ltolman.org/davinci.htm http://www.ltolman.org/davinci.htm
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycles
- Derbasti 16y agoShow me another widespread technology that exists since the late 1800s and that has not been completely replaced by another technology. Most technologies get replaced by newer 'disruptive' technologies in rather short times (think gasoline vs. steam vs. electricity for trains or turbine vs. gasoline for planes). The 'driving force' for bicycles has stayed virtually the same (human muscles), but the transmissions and layouts have been improved steadily. Only the advent of hybrid electric-and-muscle driven e-bikes can be seen as an actual revolution in cycling technology.
- simonsarris 16y ago> Show me another widespread technology that exists since the late 1800s and that has not been completely replaced by another technology. There have got to be hundreds. Traffic lights and air brakes, 1868 Four-stroke internal combustion engine, 1876 toilet paper, 1880 Rayon, 1884 Steam turbine, 1884 Gas-powered automobile and motorcycle, 1885 dish-washer, Coca-cola (is that an invention?), 1886 radar, contact lenses, 1887 AC motor/transformer, 1888 cordite, 1889 escalator, 1891 zipper, 1893
- adolph 16y agoWhat did people use before 1880?
- simonsarris 16y agoPeople wiped themselves with writing paper, wool, hemp, seashells, corn cobs, sponges, stones, small wooden planks, moss, snow, and their own hands. Pretty much anything. Of course some of these methods are still in use today, depending on where you look.
- deleted 16y ago[deleted]
- ez77 16y agoYou are forgetting about a 17th-century invention based on running water [1] which, by the way, to this day is considered by many to be significantly more hygienic than wiping. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bidet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bidet
- Retric 16y agoThat somewhat depends on what you call a bike. A 1917 dandy horse http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dandy_horse http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dandy_horse looks much like a bike. Vs the first pedal-equipped bicycle, developed by Pierre Michaux, Pierre Lallement and the Olivier brothers in the 1860s.
- neves 16y agoLeonardo's bike design is a hoax: http://www.cyclepublishing.com/history/leonardo%20da%20vinci%20bicycle.html http://www.cyclepublishing.com/history/leonardo%20da%20vinci...