The Velocipede, a modern object (1860 - 1870)

The Velocipede, a modern object (1860 - 1870), Ed. SilvanaEditoriale, 10 inches x 11 inches ( 26 cm x 28 cm ), softcover book with 240 color pages - French/English edition

This softcover book with 240 color pages presents the velocipede, the ancestor of the bike.
Real object of modernity of the years 1860s, the velocipede fathered an intense cultural and social phenomenon, giving concrete expression to the aspirations and the dreams of the "modern young people" in France, in Europe and in the United States.
The lightning distribution of the velocipede through the world shows a fashion phenomenon which reveals the art of living during the Second Empire, and emphasizes the import of the technical progresses.

The main velocipede, hight wheel and machines manufacturers and patents are presented with:
Michaux, Compagnie Parisienne des Vélocipède, Jacquier, Perreaux, Raux, Meyer, Thomasset, Gervat, Poncet Bajard, Merklen, Paranque, Rousseau, Cottraux, Barberon de Meunier, Witty, Lakin in France,
Stassen, Turner & Co., Beck & Candlish, Peyton & Peyton in England,
Hans-Erhard Lessing in Germany,
Jan Kralik in Bohemia,
Burgers in Netherlands,
Mikko Kylliainen, Peretti in Finland,
Wiedmer in Switzerland,
Nick Clayton, Witty, Lakin in the United States.

The texts are written in French and in English by Nadine Besse.