The Portland daily press., 1881-07-27
The Inventor of the Bicycle.

iran Mail GaZeUJe.
A very remarkable career has just closed
Mr.. James Starley, the inventor of the modern
bicycle and tricycle., has this week been laid in
his last resting place in the Coventry cemetery.
Born about fifty years ago in the village of
Allbourne, Sussex, the son of poor farmer,
he received but little education, and at the age
OF nine was put to agricultural labor La 1916
or 1847, while still lad, he left home to seek
his fortune in London, and, after some changes
and yicissitudes, he finally settled in Lewis
ham, Kent, where he married For some
years he followed the occupation of gardener,
and in that capacity was employed by the late
Mr.. Penn, the proprietor of large machine
works at Greenwich. He probably found his
way into Mr.. PENIS factory, if he did not gain
occupation there, for it was at this time that
his mechanical genius first showed itself in the
invention OF al adjustable candlestick, the
one-stringed window-blind, and the magic bas-
sinette which will probably be remembered by
anxious mothers of that date as warranted
(per advertisements of the period) to soothe
and luli the most tiresome of infants About
1855 he found congenal occupation in improv-
ing the Newton Wilson sewing-machine, and
in few years afterward he settled in Govern
try, bringing with him a newly invented ma
chine Of the same description called Europe
an" The collapse of the Coventry ribbon
trade in 1860, and the social distress by which
it was accompanied led to the introduction of
new industries into the City. Among the ear
Hest of these was the Coventry Machinists'
Company, OF which Mr.. Starley was appointed
foreman. His active mind was ever bent on
inventions and improvements on inventions,
and during this period he produced many va
rieties of sewing machines.
Twelve years ago he began study which
was to prove turning-point in his life, and
which constitutes his chief title to remem-
brance. A French bicycle was brought under
the notice of the Coventry Macbinists' Compa-
ny, who took up the manufacture of it for
Paris firm. The "bone-shaker" is machine
which the rider of to-day would more than dis
dam; 1t bears the same relation to the modern
bicycle that a cart horse does to the winner of
the Derby. But the rude continuance con-
tanned an idea which fell upon fruitful SOIL
Mr.. Starley first improved it, and then he i'm
proved it out of existence by inventing a ma
chine of an entirely novel construction. He
first gave to the world the 1"spider Wheel"
which has wrought q complete revolution in
the wheel world, and which marks the COM
mencement of the present era Of cycles. The
first of the new style of machines was 'fthe
spring and step machines, Ga the Coventry
model The superiority of this machine was
self-evident, the old coach-like wooden wheels
being superseded by wire spokes and shaped
rim and Indla-ruoDef tires, curved spring
and small hind wheel near to the drying
wheel. The "Ariel," light and graceful ma
chine that fully justified its name, afterward
followed, and embodied the important i'm
proyement of pivot centre Steering. Mr. STAR
ley's next triumphs were the Europa sewing
machine and the Tangent bicycle, by which
greater strength was obtained on the wheel.
Regarding the bicycle as practically perfected,
he now began the study OF the tricycle., the ma
chimes of this name hitherto in use not being
particularly remarkable for lightness or beau
ty. The Coventry tricycle. was the first fruit
Of this application; in due time came the Sal
vo-Quadricycle which Mr. Starley regarded as
his nadg,auno opus. He improved the Salvo,
till he considered it as nearly perfect, and the
principle OF its construction is regarded by ex-
perienced judges as not likely to be superseded.
Early this year the Queen having ordered one
of these machines for the Princesses, it was
taken to Osborne by the inventor himself. Mr..
Starley patented number of his inventions;
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 10 competency. Mr. Starley was
man of great simplicity of character, free from
every faint of self-assertion or arrogance