Bicycles: getting a handle on technology

The drawings below are of John C. Raymond's bicycle, patented on June 20, 1899 in New York, NY. The text reads:

Be it known that I, JOHN CARLYLE RAYMOND, of New York, (Brooklyn,) in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Bicycle, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description... The object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved bicycle arranged to permit a rider to conveniently change the gearing from a high speed to a low speed, or vice versa, and manipulate the bell and brake by means of electricity and to insure against being run into during the night by displaying a danger-signal from the rear.

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Content - The Franklin Institute Online "Inquiry Attic" (June/July '99)

Note: The objects pictured above are part of The Franklin Institute's protected collection of objects. The images are © The Franklin Institute. All rights are reserved.