smelly

When was the first bike ever made? How long have bike's been around? I'm guessing 100 years or so.................... That is all!

RegularGuy

The Pedaling History Museum has a short page on the history of the bicycle. That should get you started. Bicycles with cranks have been around since the 1840s.

chewa

Insert sound of bagpipes please.

The bicycle in it's present form, as we all know, was invented by a Scot, Kirkpatrick McMillan, in about 1840

A Scot also invented the pneumatic tyre

I thank you.

Exits with a swirl of the kilt.

:thumbup:

RegularGuy

"Present form" is a bit of a stretch, since MacMillan's machine bore little resemblence to current bicycles. But, he does get credit (from me at least) for inventing the bicycle, as he was the first to add a reciprocating drive mechanism to Baron Von Drais's hobby horse. The drive was a pair of treadles attached to the rear wheel by iron rods.

John Boyd Dunlop, the veterinarian who invented the pneumatic tire, was unquestionably a Scot. I think he was inspired by either the bagpipes or the haggis. I understand that he was entitled to wear the MacIntyre tartan. My Scottish relatives told me that "the Dunlops have been MacIntyres for over 100 years." That really only makes sense when said with a brogue, and even then it's a groaner.

Fasteryoufool

ouch.

D*Alex

Somebody once told me this: It was an Englishman that invented the teacup, but it was a Scotsman that invented the saucer!!

John E

Don't forget another relevant Scottish invention, macadam.

lotek 

and scotch.

marty

MichaelW

Those Scotchmen sure are inventive.

D*Alex

Surprisingly, that was invented by the Welsh. In fact, the word "whisky" is derived from a Welsh word meaning "water of life".

KleinMp99

Have you been there? I was there on the way back from D.C. last summer.....they have some really cool old stuff.

RegularGuy

I've never had the pleasure. I saw the Bicycle Museum of America when it was still in Chicago. Very cool.

Rev.Chuck

I was waiting for chewa to say this, but I believe it is Scotsmen. Hey, my great great granny was Flora McDonald.

RegularGuy

"Scot" would suffice.

My own wee granny came from Greenock on the Firth of Clyde.

chewa

As long as no-one uses "sweaties" I don't mind.

Sweaty socks = Jocks

Rev.Chuck

I was reading a Bill Bryson book and he was talking about a Cockney rhyming game that works like that, Plates of meat = feet, so feet where called plates. Same thing?

chewa

Indeed. It's normally southern England residents who call us sweaties.

Really gets my goat.

Other rhymes Apples and pears = stairs

Whistle and flute = suit

Boat race = face.

Rev.Chuck

Possibly they are frustrated that their ancestors couldn't take a bunch of guys running around wet hill country wearing big blankets and living off of oatmeal.