



Manufacturers and Inventors of velocipedes USA 1865 - 1877
The beginnings of velociped production in the USA. All names and companies in the list are verifiable. I have taken the liberty of adding a few other newly discovered and where the situation allows to attach gradually photos.
Last updated - added: letter "S" - 05/03/2023
USA „A“
Allen A.M. - patents from 1869
Patents from: Cycles or Velocipedes with attachments, patented in the United States 1789 - 1892
album: Allen A.M. patents
Aspinwall & Perry - patents for rail road velocipede
album: Aspinwall & Perry patent
album: Rail road pictures
Andrews S. - velocipede patent from 1869
album: Andrews S. patent
Atherton D.W - velocipede patent from 1869
Patent from: Cycles or Velocipedes with attachments, patented in the United States 1789 - 1892
album: Atherton D.W patent
USA „B“
Baldwin & Miller - velocipede patent from 1869
Patent from: Cycles or Velocipedes with attachments, patented in the United States 1789 - 1892
album: Baldwin & Miller patent
Barnes & Co. - Syracuse, NY, USA
Baker & Co. - Boston, USA
information was founf on the internet only
album: Baker & Co.
Manufacturers and Inventors of velocipedes FRANCE 1865 - 1872
The beginnings of velociped production have attracted many small and large companies. Thanks to people like Claude Reynard, Louis Bonneville, Keizo Kobayashi and Nick Clayton, we managed to put together a list of manufacturers. All names and companies in the list are verifiable. I have taken the liberty of adding a few other newly discovered and where the situation allows to attach gradually photos.
Last updated - added: letter "J" - 10/12/2022
France „A“
Ader Clément - Muret (Haute-Garonne), France
Ader Clément from Musée Clément Ader – Muret photos were taken by RŠ
album: Ader Clement
Ader Clément from Musée des Arts et Métiers – Paris, France photos were taken by RŠ
album: Ader Clément Arts et Métiers – Paris
Ader Clément from Biczycle collection - Czech republic
album: Ader Clément double frame
Anger - Paris, France
Antoni Gustave - 32 rue Neuve Coquenard, Paris, France
Antoni from a private collection - Czech republic
album: Antoni Paris
Ausset - Montpellier, France
Auvray Victor - Paris, France
Avenet (le Velocipéde Européen) - Paris, France
Avenet velocipede from Musée Moto Vélo, Domazan – France photos were taken by RŠ 2
album: Avenet
Antonín Perič – The Serial Numbers
Výrobní čísla – časové zařazení (přepis z dochované zakázkové knihy)
Velmi snadno si sami najdete rok výroby podle výrobního čísla a tím snadno určíte vybavení rámu správnými dobovými komponenty.
Pravděpodobně nejslavnější český výrobce rámů kol (první rám postavil cca 1933/34, poslední až v sedmdesátých letech), jehož kola patří mezi nejvíce ceněná a hledaná sběrateli nejen z Čech, na unikátních dobových fotografiích.
album: Antonín Perič
Před rokem 1934 - bez přesného určení (vyrobeno 9 rámů)
- pro Smekal Alois - 21.007
- pro Potužák Jiří - 21.008
- pro Krbec Miloslav - 21.009
- pro Novák Oldřich - 21.010
- pro firmu Werner J. (z dodaného materiálu „Stelring“) 3 rámy - 21.011 až 21.013
- pro Krbec Miloslav – 21.014
- pro pan Brynda (z materiálu BSA) – 21.015
použitý materiál trubek označen jako „D.d.“ nebo „D.s.“
Calvin Witty and his first "licence plate" to ride
The greater wheel world 150 year ago ..as the Velocipede fever was roaring hot ...Calvin Witty was about to end the party.
album: První licenčnční poplatek
February 3rd, Calvin Witty sends out a notice to all involved with velocipedes.
"You are hereby notified that Letter Patent #59,915, granted Nov. 20, 1866, secures a velocipede with two wheels, treadles and guiding arms, and that the velocipede you manufacture is an infringement upon the said patent. The present is to require you to cease the further manufacture of said velocipedes and to settle with me for all past infringement of the rights under said patent. Your respectfully, Calvin Witty”.
This notice spread fear through the just booming velocipede world. Witty was quick to offer terms in which all could continue to manufacture machines and for those who had purchased machines you must now pay a licensing fee of $10.00. Witty was quick with his legal thugs to go to each riding school and demand payment for licensing or threat of shutting down the schools. The schools were the easiest targets for existing machines, as each school would have 6-50 machines, easy money for the taking. The licensing was a stamp on the machine of the Lallement patent date "Patd Nov 20th 1866" and a serial number. (6) The stampings were hand held and hammered onsite. The manufactures that signed a licensing agreement would pay 10.00 to 25.00 per machine depending on production projections. Absorbing the licensing fee "royalty" was not part of the manufactures program, a simple increase in price of $10.00 was made.
The $10.00 fee was marked paid with a stamping on your velocipede of the Lallement patent date and normally a # ... the first form of "licence plate" to ride .
Source: Carey Williams 2019
Pierre Lallement patent 1866
album: Lallement patent 1866
Bicycles of Josef Erlach and Valentin Wiegele
Walter Ulreich
10th International Cycling History Conference – The Netherlands 1999
„The tricycles of Josef Erlach, from Korpitsch, near Villach in Carinthia, Austria, are known to only a few people interested in bicycle history. There are two machines in the collection of the Museum of Technology in Wienna (TMW), one of them in almost complete condition and on display in the newly reopened Museum. This Erlach tricykle was examined and well conserved in 1987 by Zita Breu, who wrote an excellent conservation report. The present writer wrote a short article on Josef Erlach in 1991. At this time one two-wheeled bicycle from Erlach is known.“
Wrote Walter Ulreich in 1999, but now we are very happy that we are able to add pictures next discovered machine from the Czech Republic and to show pictures of Erlach serial number 165 after renovation we finished before end of 2017.
Josef Erlach – serial mumber 165
album: Josef Erlach 165
Walter Ulreich - full report for 10th International Cycling History Conference – The Netherlands 1999
Eagle Bicycle Mfg. Co. research data
The Eagle bicycle was designed by L.B.Gaylor of Stamford Connecticut in 1886. Manufacture of the Eagle by the Eagle Bicycle Mfg. Company of Stanford Connectuit commenced in 1889. Truly a late date to introduce a high wheel bicycle in the even growing field of low safety bicycles. But the Eagle found an audience amongst long distance and racing wheelmen alike. It is simple lines of construction were and are seductive to the cycling world. The New Haven Cycling club in 1891 numbered 23 with 21 Eagles in the roster.
album: Eagle History 1
By 1891 the Eagle was offered in a light roadster model with hollow framing and tangential spoking shaving 6 pounds off the bike. Both racing and boys Eagles were also offered. Sizes offered 46“ through 56“. 1891 catalog advised against cushion tires calling them experimental. By mid year the ads were promoting the cushion tire version. By December of 1891 the address for the company had changed to Torrington Connecticut and the Eagle Light Roadster is offered as „The Old Reliable“ with notice of an Eagle safety soon be avaiable. The flight of the Eagle after three years was over.
The EAGLE Bicycle Mfg.Co., Stamford, Conn., USA - 1889
(collection: BiCZycle collection - Prague, 54" serial number 445 ..first year of production ... )
album: Eagle 1889
Jan Veselý’s Perič bicycle - Introduction and Meeting
It is a well-known fact that an antique car with a well-mapped history and list of previous owners is far more valuable than an identical bicycle of unknown origin. This is also true for historical bicycles. In the middle of January 2014, we celebrated the rebirth of such a bicycle at the U Lasíků restaurant in Únětice. This is a road racing bicycle built by Antonín Perič for Jan Veselý, one of the key bicycles in domestic cycling and a bright moment in the life of the local community.
Robert Štěrba, who not only presented the Perič (production number 21 646), but also initiated the first and we are convinced that, in the future, to be repeated informal meeting of researchers in the area of historical bicycles, invited a number of interesting people and personages who were capable of appreciating such a gathering. František Babický, the legendary mechanic of the national team of the Peace Race, Dr. Jaroslav Cihlář, multiple national champion in all track disciplines, academic world champion, racing competitor, trainer of the national team of track racers, pedagogue and closest friend of Jan Veselý. The men from Repete Cycles, racing competitors, fans, journalists, collectors in all age categories ...
album: Jan Veselý - part 1
Laurin & Klement - Bicycles and Motorcycles "SLAVIA"
Václav Laurin - born 1865 September 27th, Václav Klement – 1868 October 16th
The company was set up the end of 1895
1895 - The small machinist workshop with two employees was opened one week before Christmas holiday on street Benátská, Mladá Boleslav
1896 - The first season, bicycle production started with five bicycles models (models 0 to 5)
1897 - The second season, the company offered still five models with small improvment
1898 - The third season, the new factory buildings was built with 1100 sq meters, new models under pattern number from 7 to 14, first tandem
1899 - The fourth season, models from 17 to 32, Acaténe models (drive shaft system) and first bicycle with engine
1900 - The fift season, bicycles, transport machines and motorcycles
1906 - The first model of car was offered by company catalogue!
album: Laurin & Klement
Simpson "Lever" Chain
Simpson "Lever" Chain, a much boomed novelty which enjoyed a brief but hectic career, 1895 - 1897. The first patent William Speir Simpson took 27th December 1894.
album: Simpson Lever Chain 1
In September 1895 a company was formed to make and sell the new chain, on 27 September Simpsons Lever chain (Foreign and Canadien) Co. Ltd., was registred with a capital of a million pounds to acquire, develop and work overseas patents.
Simpson Lever Chain and Cycle Co. Ltd. was a maker of the simpson lever chain, this company premises at 110 Regent Street, London and works at Draycott, Derbyshire. This maker offered his own bicycles under name "Simpson" lever chaines have been used by many riders on other bicycles.
Anton Burg’s "three-wheel hobby horse"
Dr. Jan Králík: Anton Burg’s three-wheel hobby horse "Overpainted beauty"
The full text of my audience for: XXIII. Intenational Cycling History Conference
Roeselare, Belgium 24-26 May 2012
album: Burg’s hobby horse I.