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A Comprehensive Bibliography Of Nineteenth Century Bicycling Periodicals, Christopher A. Sweet
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 …
"The Church Or The Wheel?" Religious Institutions Respond To The American Bicycle Boom.Pptx, Christopher A. Sweet
"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 …