A Comprehensive Bibliography Of Nineteenth Century Bicycling Periodicals, Christopher A. Sweet
Dec 2018
A Comprehensive Bibliography Of Nineteenth Century Bicycling Periodicals, Christopher A. Sweet
Christopher A. Sweet
Bicycling became hugely popular in the second half of the nineteenth century. At the time, bicycle manufacturing was an important American industry, bicycle racing was one of the most popular spectator sports, and joining a bicycle club was a mark of social distinction. This bicycle craze occurred at the same time as an explosion in the publishing of American periodicals. Bicycle manufacturers invested heavily in newspaper and magazine advertising which spurred the creation of new periodicals. This paper documents more than one hundred bicycling periodicals that were published in the nineteenth century. The bibliographic essay provides historical context for both …
Bicycle Messenger Boys And The Evolution Of American Labor Laws, Christopher A. Sweet
Jun 2018
Bicycle Messenger Boys And The Evolution Of American Labor Laws, Christopher A. Sweet
Christopher A. Sweet
Bicycle messenger boys often conjure up images of young boy riding an early morning newspaper delivery route. Long before the newspaper delivery boy, telegraph and shipping companies exploited child bicycle messengers as a cheap form of labor. Bicycle messenger boys worked long hours under dangerous conditions for little pay. Some worked overnight delivering messages and parcels to patrons and proprietors in red light districts. Some were injured or even killed on the job. This presentation will examine how bicycle messenger boys found themselves entwined in evolving American labor laws from 1890-1940. Anti-child labor organizations such as the National Child Labor …
Bicycle Messenger Boys And The Evolution Of American Labor Laws, Christopher A. Sweet
Dec 2017
Bicycle Messenger Boys And The Evolution Of American Labor Laws, Christopher A. Sweet
Christopher A. Sweet
This article examines how bicycle messenger boys found themselves entwined in evolving American labor laws from 1890-1940. Anti-child labor organizations such as the National Child Labor Committee used exposés of the working conditions of messenger boys to help force passage of the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act. Beyond child labor laws, bicycle messenger boys also shaped workplace liability and worker’s compensation laws. Companies who employed bicycle messengers who were injured or killed on the job usually claimed the boys owned their own bicycles and worked as independent contractors rather than employees therefore absolving themselves of liability.
"The Church Or The Wheel?" Religious Institutions Respond To The American Bicycle Boom.Pptx, Christopher A. Sweet
Jun 2016
"The Church Or The Wheel?" Religious Institutions Respond To The American Bicycle Boom.Pptx, Christopher A. Sweet
Christopher A. Sweet
“These bladder-wheel bicycles are diabolical devices of the demon of darkness.” Thus railed a Baltimore preacher against the massive wave of popularity for the safety bicycle in the mid-1890s. From a 21st century perspective it seems quaint that American religious institutions felt threatened by something so mundane as bicycles. At the time though, easy-to-ride and relatively cheap safety bicycles presented a direct challenge to many established cultural and social norms. Women cyclists gained independent mobility and were able to press for dress reform. Physical health became a priority for city-dwellers. Christian churches and pastors primarily criticized the bicycle for encouraging …
The Role Of Information Literacy In Service Learning Courses: A Case Study And Best Practices, Christopher A. Sweet
May 2012
The Role Of Information Literacy In Service Learning Courses: A Case Study And Best Practices, Christopher A. Sweet
Christopher A. Sweet
Service Learning is a quickly growing movement within higher education that empowers students to utilize classroom knowledge to solve a problem or effect a change within their local community. Information Literacy is critical for getting students to understand the “why” and “how” that should ground all service learning projects.
This presentation will begin with an overview of the service learning movement. Next, I will present a case study of my experiences as an embedded librarian in an Environmental Studies Senior Seminar. The presentation will conclude with a summary of emerging best practices for incorporating information literacy into service learning courses.