In 1817, the German Baron Karl von Drais installed in a célérifère, a system of guidance that allowed it to curve, thus maintaining the balance of the bicycle when in movement. Then came the Draisiana, patented in 1818 and regarded as the modern bicycle’s forerunner. Its rider sat astride a wooden frame supported by two in-line wheels and pushed the vehicle along with his or her feet while steering the front wheel. In 1839 the first mechanically-propelled, two-wheeled vehicle was built by the Scottish blacksmith Kirkpatrick Macmillan.
It is, however, Pierre Michaux, a cartwright from Brunel, France, who creates a propulsion system connected directly to the front wheel, making the movement of the machine easier. The result was so positive that Michaux decides to dedicate himself to the production of this velocipede. This is how the world’s first bicycle factory was born: the Michaux Company.
“Bicycles with History” is a representative sample of the evolution of the bicycle over the years. It starts with two “Michaux” models from 1869, followed by the traditional “Bone Shakers”, tricycles and current bikes.
The exhibition, which will be open from February 3 to May 20 at the Museu do Caramulo, is supported by Câmara Municipal de Tondela, Jornal dos Clássicos, Motor24 and Banco BPI.