Off to Work

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Copyright © 2008 Linda Apple
"Off to Work"
oil on canvas - 18"x 18"
Bicycle Series
Original has sold but a Fine Art Giclee Print is now available:

Prices begin 8x8"@ $27.oo
Please click here to order a print

This is a much larger version of an earlier painting that had sold.
I really liked the bold yet simple design.

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If you didn't have a chance to purchase a painting because it was sold and would like me to recreate a similar piece for you or if there is something you would like to have painted in my style, just use the commission link below. There is never an obligation.

By Mary Bellis
Bicycle History in Debate
Some history books will state that Pierre and Ernest Michaux, the French father and son team of carriage-makers, invented the first bicycle during the 1860s. Historians now disagree and there is evidence that the bicycle is older than that. However, historians do agree that Ernest Michaux did invent the modern bicycle pedal and cranks in 1861.

Baron Karl Drais von Sauerbronn - Early Bicycles
The German Baron Karl Drais von Sauerbronn invented the "Laufmaschine" or "Running Machine", a type of pre-bicycle. The steerable Laufmaschine was made entirely of wood and had no pedals; a rider would push his/her feet against the ground to make the machine go forward. Sauerbronn's bicycle was first exhibited in Paris on April 6, 1818. The celerifere was another similar early bicycle precursor invented in 1790 by Frenchmen, Comte Mede de Sivrac, however, it had no steering.

Penny Farthing
The Penny Farthing is also referred to as the 'High' or 'Ordinary' bicycle, and the first one was invented in 1871 by British engineer, James Starley. The Penny Farthing came after the development of the 'Hobbyhorse', and the French 'Velocipede' or 'Boneshaker', all versions of early bikes. However, the Penny Farthing was the first really efficient bicycle, consisting of a small rear wheel and large front wheel pivoting on a simple tubular frame with tires of rubber.