Bicycles and horse-drawn carriages were a common mode of transportation in the days before automobiles. The high-wheel bicycle was introduced in the 1870s, and the front wheels became larger and larger as makers realized that the larger the wheel, the farther one could travel with one rotation of the pedals. They were fast but dangerous — because the rider sat so high above the center of gravity, if the front wheel hit a rock or a bad spot in the road, the rider’s legs were trapped under the handlebars as he was thrown over the front wheel. Safety bicycles were introduced in the 1880s, with equally sized wheels and a chain drive to the rear wheel. — source: Phillips County Museum
Peekin’ into the past
Five Years Ago — June 5, 2014
Dr. Sunny Lauber is the newest doctor at Melissa Memorial Hospital. She began seeing patients this week.
