Not sure if I'm breaking any list rules here (though I suppose I could check), but I'm reposting this with a new subject line. I occurs to me that many people who may have something to say bout this would have ignored a message specific to Bowden brakes. Please read on. Tom Dalton <tom_s_dalton@yahoo.com> wrote:
This thread reminds me of something I've been meaning to post to the list. Unfortunately I'm not posting any useful information here, and this isn't really a specific question. What I am wondering is this: How many of the simple mechanical elements of other types of equipment were first used on bikes. I don't know about any of these things for certain, and these are just examples, but how about, ball bearings, roller chains, tensioned spokes, pneumatic tires, drawn steel tubing, "Bowden" cables. Are there others even more basic like the set screw, the threaded lockring etc? Given when bikes developed in the "mechanical age" even things (processes) like rolled threads may first have been used in building bikes. Does anyone have any actual facts to back up my speculation? I'm hoping this will promote some discussion of "old bikes" since we are sometimes accused of ignoring this subject.
By the way, there is one very wealthy old lady around here whose grandfather (maybe father) invented something I had always assumed was around since the dawn of time. He invented the O-ring. First used in the hydraulics of aircraft landing gear iirc. Now found in Hubs, BB,s and certain types of off-topic forks.
Tom Dalton Bethlehem, PA
Chuck Schmidt wrote: Group---- I don't have much time to get into all of this, but Raleigh
Bicycle Company was started by Frank Bowden in1888--- He had a son, Sir
Harold, and grandson Sir Frank, who were subsequently involved---- One
of them, I believe, was the designer/inventor of the "Bowden
Spacelander" bicycle (which I hope is off list :-). Read "The Story of
the Raleigh Bicycle", by Gregory Houston Bowden.....I don't have time to
at the moment.... Cheers---- Nelson Miller.. Seattle
>From: Chuck Schmidt
>Reply-To: chuckschmidt@earthlink.net
>To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>Subject: Re: [CR]Bowden brakes
>Date: Thu, 13 Jun 2002 23:18:37 -0700
>
>Philcycles@aol.com wrote:
> >
> > In a message dated 6/13/02 8:11:39 PM, cgallegro@charter.net writes:
> >
> > << Hi Gang, When were Bowden brakes made and where. I have a set of
very long
> > reach side pull, that appear very old ( 1930-40's ?). I got these in
the late
> > 1960's with lots of old parts. They are very lean and slender.The
spring
> > wraps around the calipers. Did they make center pulls? They have
script
> > writing. Any help is appreciated. >>
> >
> > Bowden was the inventor of the cable inside a housing that we all
use today.
> > Phil Brown
> > In hot but cooling NoHo, Ca
>
>Bowden cables were used in WWI aircraft and undoubtedly predate 1914. I
>would guess, and it would only be a guess, that the bike brake
>application might predate airplane controls.
>
>Chuck Schmidt
>SoPas, SoCal
>_______________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: Click Here
_______________________________________________
--------------------------------- Do You Yahoo!? Sign-up for Video Highlights of 2002 FIFA World Cup
_______________________________________________
---------------------------------
Do You Yahoo!?
Sign-up for Video Highlights of 2002 FIFA World Cup