Velocipède ca 1870 3602-86

Velocipède ca 1870

At the 1867 Paris Exhibition, the French firm of Michaux got a lot of publicity for developing the first commercially-viable version of a two-wheeled, human-powered bicycle: the Velocipede. While they were not the first to do this, Michaux was the first to tinker and perfect the design. When it was demonstrated at the Paris Exhibition, the Velocipede brought worldwide attention to the concept of cycling and sparked a craze of experimentation that would last until the early 1870s.
This specimen comes in authentic condition with original lining on fork, frame and wheels. The handlebars have turned wooden grips and the saddle is mounted on a steel spring. The front wheel has a 36-inch (ca 92 cm) diameter, the small rear wheel measures 20 inches (ca 50 cm).
This very well preserved velocipede was once part of the collection of the Musee du Cycle in Falmignoul.