  | Birth of the bicycle : a bumpy history of the bicycle in America 1819-1900 Author: Nelson, Sarah | |
| Price: $23.78 | ||
Summary:
From the pedal-less, brakeless wooden velocipedes of the 1800s to the sleek racing machines of today, from a luxury for the wealthy to a lifeline for the working class, the bicycle's journey is a study in invention, innovation, and ingenuity.
| Illustrator: | Bruno, Lacopo |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (05/01/24)
Booklist (04/15/24)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 04/15/2024 Nelson recounts the history of the bicycle, beginning with the 1817 invention of the velocipede, an entirely wooden contraption with no pedals or brakes. She notes subsequent design improvements, including pedals (1863), iron frames (1865), and the modern bicycle, complete with brakes, rubber tires, and chains in the mid-1890s. Throughout, the author emphasizes the many drawbacks that impeded early adoption of the bicycle, including unpaved streets, safety issues, women's clothing, and the often-prohibitive cost of early models. Bruno's digitally enhanced pencil illustrations make use of bold, bright colors; attention to fine details (particularly in his depictions of period costumes and the early two-wheelers); and scenes that convey both motion and emotion. Of particular note are a brakeless cyclist colliding into a barn, a team of French acrobats performing tricks while on cycles, and women in clothing adapted for riding. With an afterword offering further information about the various iterations of this conveyance, this makes a good choice for fans of Megan Hoyt's Bartali's Bicycle (2021). - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
