BBC wrong again! Rant!!!

[Hilldodger]

It is a French word derived from Latin.


From the Oxford English Dictionary.

velocipede

/vilossipeed/

• noun 1 historical an early form of bicycle propelled by working pedals on cranks fitted to the front axle. 2 US a child’s tricycle.

— ORIGIN French, from Latin velox ‘swift’ + pes ‘foot’.

 

[mr_hippo]

I have, I work as a professional cycling historian. That's why I get annoyed.

You asked - before you edited your post - did I read your post? Yes I did now let's examine your post shall we?


"Yesterday that long haired Scottish so-called historian, whilst claiming that Macmillan's machine was the World's first bicycle, said that "at the time the machine was known as a Velocipede" "
Then in post 15 you said

"The First known usage of the word velocipede to describe a bicycle was in Paris in 1861. There is no mention of the word being used in reference to a bicycle before then."
So no mention of the word before 1861? What about "In 1817 the German engineer Baron Karl Friedrich Drais von Sauerbronn developed the Laufmaschine (running machine), the precursor of the bicycle. His design consisted of two wooden wheels connected by a wooden beam and surmounted by an upholstered seat, but since it lacked pedals, it had to be propelled by the rider's feet pushing against the ground. After it was patented in Baden, Germany, and in Paris (under the name velocipede) in 1818, it was both imitated and improved upon." Source - http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1026/is_n6_v151/ai_19661212/
So under a Fench patent of 1818, you will find 'velocipede'!

From your first post "That'll be 25 years before the French word was even invented then." As already pointed out, it's Latin and not French and used in 1818.
"That invention was made in isolation and did not lead to the development of the modern bicycle as claimed by the BBC"
So you don't think that adding pedals that were connected to the rear wheel had no influence on the developement of the bicycle?

 

[Billloudon]

You asked - before you edited your post - did I read your post? Yes I did now let's examine your post shall we?


"Yesterday that long haired Scottish so-called historian, whilst claiming that Macmillan's machine was the World's first bicycle, said that "at the time the machine was known as a Velocipede" "
Then in post 15 you said

"The First known usage of the word velocipede to describe a bicycle was in Paris in 1861. There is no mention of the word being used in reference to a bicycle before then."
So no mention of the word before 1861? What about "In 1817 the German engineer Baron Karl Friedrich Drais von Sauerbronn developed the Laufmaschine (running machine), the precursor of the bicycle. His design consisted of two wooden wheels connected by a wooden beam and surmounted by an upholstered seat, but since it lacked pedals, it had to be propelled by the rider's feet pushing against the ground. After it was patented in Baden, Germany, and in Paris (under the name velocipede) in 1818, it was both imitated and improved upon." Source - http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1026/is_n6_v151/ai_19661212/
So under a Fench patent of 1818, you will find 'velocipede'!

From your first post "That'll be 25 years before the French word was even invented then." As already pointed out, it's Latin and not French and used in 1818.
"That invention was made in isolation and did not lead to the development of the modern bicycle as claimed by the BBC"
So you don't think that adding pedals that were connected to the rear wheel had no influence on the developement of the bicycle?

Sounds like a technical knockout to me! Unless........

 

[Hilldodger]

Lets take these point one at a time

Point number one.

Where is there ANY reference to Macmillan's machine being refered to as a Velocipede at that time?

Not was the word in use - where is there any reference to Macmillain machine being termed a Velocipede around 1839?

Which is what the BBC claimed and I dispute.

 

[mr_hippo]

Lets take these point one at a time

Point number one.

Where is there ANY reference to Macmillan's machine being refered to as a Velocipede at that time?

Not was the word in use - where is there any reference to Macmillain machine being termed a Velocipede around 1839?

Which is what the BBC claimed and I dispute.

Try - http://www3.sympatico.ca/comflex/mcmillan/DevilonWheels.htm
"In 1842, McMillan decided to ride to Glasgow to visit his brother who was the Rector of Hutcheson's Grammar School. It was to prove a sensation. As he approached the village of Gorbals, huge crowds turned out onto the streets, having been forewarned that "the devil on wheels" was coming.
So thick was the crowd that Pate was forced to mount the pavement, where he collided with a small girl who rustled out of a close to see what all the excitement was about. The girl only grazed her leg, but she was so shocked she began to howl. Soon the hapless Pate was surrounded by an angry mob of Gorbals' citizenry. Police constables came to the rescue, but under the urging of some local bailies who were present, young Pate and his machine were taken to the local police station.


It was a highly mortified Kirkpatrick McMillan who made his appearance in court the next morning, for he was a very religious and moral young man. His brother was summoned to identify Pate, and a little later Kirkpatrick stood in front of the magistrate, charged with obstructing the Queen's Highway and with having driven a "velocipede to the danger of her lieges."

I see that you have changed from "That'll be 25 years before the French word was even invented then." to "Not was the word in use".