To start the program, click on the green flag. To move to the next slide, click your space key. Be sure to wait about two seconds in between each click of the space key. Once the lever/wheel system is explained, the animation is done, and this is how Macmillan's bike works. Enjoy the animation! Trouble Shooting: I have had several random glitches, but restarting the program has fixed the problem every time.
This was made for a project in World History about inventions created during the Industrial Revolution. This animation is based on Macmillan's invention, the first bike with pedals. For information on the bicycle and its history, read below (I must warn you, though, unless you are interested in the history of the bicycle you might want to skip everything written below). -The first “practically used” bike was invented in 1817. -Many contributed to the creation of the bike, but the first verified bike to be used for practical purposes was created by Baron Karl von Drais. This bike had a steering device but no pedals; you had to push off of the ground with your feet to propel yourself. Kirkpatrick Macmillan is credited with creating the first bicycle pedals (In my project, though, I will create a model very similar to Kirkpatrick Macmillan’s bike though because creating working pedals will provide more of a challenge). - From childhood, Baron Karl von Drais’ parents had a lot of political influence and a small connection to the royalty. He was eventually offered a position as prolific inventor because of his family’s connections, and obviously accepted it. He made many inventions but was interested particularly in horseless travel. At his job he developed his horseless traveling ideas, and eventually was the first to create a functional bike. -Drais invented the swift walker by attaching handlebars, a seat and of course the wheels to a wooden frame. In the swiftwalker, very little technology is involved. To steer, like in a modern bike, you would have had to turn the handlebars and this resulted in the front wheel turning, making the whole bike change direction. As for actually moving, the rider would put their feet on the ground and push off with their feet. -Up to this day improvements are still being made on to the swift walker, now known as bicycle, but one of the most important improvements were Macmillan’s addition of pedals to move the bike, rather than pushing off with your feet. Macmillan's bicycle used a system of levers to rotate the wheels, along with Drais’ steering system. -The bicycle allowed a faster way to get around and deliver supplies. It is, still today, considered to be the most efficient transportation by the means of its speed in comparison to its fuel usage. Although, the thing that people were most amazed with back then is how it somewhat was able to generate its own energy without the use of a horse. -The very first human powered vehicle was invented in 1418 by Giovanni Fontana, but it wasn’t considered to be practical. It used a pulley system to move. -The unicycle, a modified version of a bike, was created in the 1870’s. -The swift walker’s top speed was about 5-6 mph. -Drais Designed the swift walker in yellow because he thought that it might be useful to the military. -It was once theorized that riding downhill on the swift walker caused damage to your muscles and internal organs. I was not able to find any information on if this is actually true. -The bike is still very significant because is very commonly used today. Over the two centuries since it’s been created, the biggest change in the bicycle is how it is used. It was originally used for practical purposes, along with enjoyment, but now it is used for enjoyment by the general population, along with being used in bike races. Sources: https://www.evelo.com/history-of-the-bicycle/ https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycle/draisienne-1817-2017-200-years-cycling-innovation-design https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/object-of-intrigue-twowheeled-transport-for-regency-dandies
