Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-16
STARLEY AND HIS CYCLES.

Death OF the Inventor and Points in his Life.
From the Pail Mall Gazette
very remarkable career has just closed. Mr.
James Starley, the inventor of the modern BIZ
cycle and tricycle. has this week been laid in his
last resting place in the Coventry cemetery His
career, which has been cut short at a compare
lively early age. was striking illustration of
the strength with which Unborn talent assert
themselves Born about fifty years ago in the
village of AlbOurne. Sussex the son of Door
farmer, he received but little education. and at
the age OF nine was put to agricultural labor.
In 1916 or 1S47, while still lad. he left
home to seek his fortune in London. and.
after some changes and vicissitudes he finally
settled in Lewisham. Kent, where he married.
The collapse of the Coventry ribbon trade in
1850 and the social distress by which it was ac-
companied led to the Introduction of new in
dustries into the city. Among the earliest of
these was the Coventry Machinists Company. of
which Dir. Starley was appointed foreman. His
active mind was ever bent on inventions and
improvements on inventions, and during this
period he produced many varieties of sewing
machines. some OF which are in the market under
names which he himself could not have recog-
nlZed Twelve years ago he began study
which was to prove a turning point in his life,
and which constitutes his chief title to
remembrance. A French bicycle was
brought under the notice of the Gov
entry hachnists' Company, who took up
the manufacture of it for a Paris firm. The
''bone-shaker" is machine which the rider of
to-day would more than disdan; it bears the
same relation to the modern bicycle as cart
horse does to the winner of the Derby. But the
rude continuance contained an idea which fell
upon fruitful soil. Mr.. Starley first improved
it, and then he improved it out of existence. by
inventing a machine Of an entirely novel con-
structiOn. He first gave to the world the ''spider
wheel" which has wrought a complete reyolu-
ton in the wheel world and which marks the
commencement Of the present era of cycles
The first of the new style of machines was
1.-THE spring and step machines or the Gov
entry model" The superiority of this
machine was self-evident, the old cOach-like
wooden wheels being superseded by wire spokes
and shaped rim and india-rubber tires curved
spring. and a small hind wheel near to the driy-
ing-wheel. The Ariel, a light and graceful ma
chine that fully justified its name afterward fol-
lowed, and embodied the important improve
ment of pivOt-center steering. Mr. Starley's
next triumphs were the Europa sewing-ma-
chine and the Tangent bicycle, by which greater
strength was obtained in the wheel Re-
gardng the bicycle as practically perfected, he
now began the study Ofthe tricycle.. the machines
of this name hitherto in use not being particu-
larly remarkable for lightness OF beauty. The
Coventry tricycle. was the first fruit of this app-
cation; in due time came the SalyO quadrcycle
which Mr. Starley regarded this as his naaqn,tnn
opus. Mr.. Starley patented number Of his in
yentiOns; but he had little commercial keenness,
and, speaking broadly, his inventive genius was
freely given to the world. He has left behind
him no fortune, though latterly he was feeling
his way to a competency.