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The FUTURE as of 1900

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DJF

Finally riding a big boys bike
We are well in our way in the new century and happened across this page and thought we should look back to when things were more, well, creative.

Here is page from France that showed the greatest innovations from the 1890 in the realms of bicycle, then called velocipedes.
Take note of the riding in a wheel version that everyone thought was "new" and special in Men in Black movie.

Vélocipède à Patins Tricycle Vélo Bike Bicycle Bicycle GRAVURE OLD PRINT 1869.jpg
 
Anyone else have some "ancient" pictures of the era of lost art of innovation before it was suppressed?
 
Also for those wondering about the top picture where there are no wheels in the rear, he is riding on ice of all the crazy things.
The rear are metal skates and if you look close the front wheel which is wood has metal studs/ spikes for traction.
 
Also for those wondering about the top picture where there are no wheels in the rear, he is riding on ice of all the crazy things.
The rear are metal skates and if you look close the front wheel which is wood has metal studs/ spikes for traction.
Has anyone ever seen one?
Or perhaps a photo?
 
They look like concepts, which were popular at the time, even in literature. Some of them don't even look functional, much less practical, so I doubt they had real life equivalents. Not to say they're pointless as they were doubtless inspirational in their day and cool to see today. In some ways it, must have been a more optimistic time with so much being discovered and invented, it must have seemed a limitless future before the global wars and rampant greed and its consequences led to distrust and cynicism.
 
The "future" was as always speculative but it was the fact ppl were inventing and NOT just buying some mass marketed trash.
As far as the french article above ALL were built to some extent and many examples remain in museums around the world.
This Ice-bicycle pictured ad is from the 1890's. Doesn't it seem like something someone now would come up with and offer over Amazon to all the enthusiast and adrenaline junkies?

1896_Ice_Bicycle.jpg
 
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