The History of Unicycles
Unicyclists are a unique, eclectic breed of cyclists who are often seen performing daring tricks on their one-wheeled cycles as they roll forward, backward and in loops while trying to keep their balance.
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The Penny Farthing
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The Penny Farthing of the 1800s consisted of one huge wheel and one very small balancing wheel in the rear. It was created in 1866 by British inventor James Stanley.
Rear-Wheel Life
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Though the Penny Farthing cycle had two wheels, the huge front wheel bore the brunt of the rider's pedaling. The cranks for the pedals were attached to the front wheel's axle. Maintaining balance was the trick, and, at this point, it appears the unicyclist was born.
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Changing Styles
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As more people became adept at unicycling, they demanded changes to the unicycle itself. Some wanted a unicycle with an extremely high raised seat. Others wanted the seat eliminated altogether. Some wanted the wheel smaller, some larger.
Circus Performers
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Because riding a unicycle presented a challenge for most riders when it came to maintaining balance, unicycles came to be used primarily by circus performers during the early days. The gyroscopic, two-dimensional method of balancing on a unicycle often suited an acrobat's natural talents.
Mountain and "Giraffe" Unicycles
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As the unicycle evolved, so did its area of specialization. Newer mountain unicycles have suspension and brake systems for control. Most tall "giraffe" unicycles use a chain-driven system instead of having pedals with fixed cranks.
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References
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- Photo Credit PDClipart.com
