Evening star., 1897-01-02
MA ED BICYCLISTS
Lost Limbs Supplied for the Use of the Un-
fortunates.
Mechanical Ingenuity I'm Making an
Artificial Leg Capable of the
Ankle and Toe Motion.

Written TO- The Evening Star
The mechanical bicycle girl is not an in
animate invention, but a living, breathing
human being. Science, exhaustive expert
ments, research and nature have combined
to make up bicycle girl. AS result the
wheelwoman might be said to consist Of
more wood, springs, steel, bolts and wires
than flesh, blood and bones. She may lack
arms legs, teeth, hair, or one Of her eyes,
and still be a scorchcr. So marvellous are
the achievements of certain manned BIZ
cyclists that students of the wheel have
taken to figuring out just how much of
woman it is necessary to add to the artifi-
cial accessories to make a real, genuine-ap
pearing bicycle girl. At first the obstacles
that presented themselves seemed almost
irsurmountable. To make a leg on which
a person could walk with ease and natural
ness of gait was one thing: but to con-
struct limb that would propel its wearer
and a bicycle over all sorts Of roadways
was quite a different proposition.
While these new bicycle legs and arms
are constructed of the same materials as
those used for ordinary purposes. they are
provided with certain additional improve
ments which fit them for the work they
are specially called upon to perform. Be
sides this there is nothing in the new
mechanism which in any way units them
Will serve for any service that may be re-
quired of them.
The bicycle limbs are all made of pre-
pared willow or bass. Special attention is
paid to having the wood we'll seasoned and
strong enough to endure prolonged strain,
as well the shock of an ordinary acci-
dent: hence wood of only the very finest
and toughest grain is used. When the
outer shell of the leg has been properly
formed and trimmed to the length that
will match the natural limb of the would
be bicycler, the next step is the fitting on
of the foot. This is an extremely import
ant factor in the bicycle leg, as the foot
must have exactly the same ankle and toe
action as the natural foot With that fact
in view, rubber has been selected as the
best material. and 1t is found that it serves
effectively in pedaling as though formed
of flesh and bone. The body of the foot
consists of a wooden core, which is sur
rounded with sponge rubber of great por-
osity.
In its construction a miniature spring
mattress of steel is f1oated in the melted
rubber, nearer to the bottom of the foot
than to the core, and an air space Is made
in the heel Immediately above the spring.
The steel mattress, which extends from the
heel to the toes, unattached to the core is
composed of a number of tempered steel
strips imbedded in canvas. Metal tips are
placed on each end to prevent the springs
from creeping. The pneumatic chamber
makes the false foot equally compressible
with the real one. and. thereby fnsures
perfect unison of action when resting on
the pedal. AS the shaft Of the leg is sunk
q considerable distance into the rubber, the
pliability of the artificial bicycle leg at the
ankle is exactly the same as that in the
human joint.
With the exception of added strength to
the springs. which serve to give additional
propelling force to the kmb, the general
plan of the mechanism OF the bicycle leg is
nearly the same as that used for an ordi-
nary walking leg. Special styles are pre-
pared for different conditions, Of course.
fvaCf -kr<aro
tation has taken place above the knee the
missing joint must be supplied by me-
chanical device. No matter to what extent
the limb may be lacking, however, the
missing portions can be supplied and laced
on SO securely to the stump that, owing to
its imperviousness to fatigue, 1t will do
greater service than a natural member.
In the case of a missing arm, the lack
can be even more readily supplied, as these
members are not called into use in cycling
to anything like the same extent as are
legs. case In which both an arm and a
leg had been amputated for injuries re-
ceived i'm a railroad accident is that of a
young woman living in New York state.
Before the accident she was an enthusiastic
wheelwoman, and when she had recovered
from the shock and become convalescent
her greatest regret was that she could
never again indulge in her favorite pas
time. When she came to be measured for
artificial limbs, however, she was delighted
to learn that the genius of the manufac-
turers had made 1t possible for her to re-
sumo her riding.
Should bicycle girl have both legs and
both arms amputated, leaving but the bare
trunk and head, there is no reason why
she should not be fitted with new limbs
and ride as well as ever.
The matter of false teeth, false hair and
glass eyes is condition liable to be within
the range of any woman rider. Those who
are now making a study Of the situation
say there is no reason why all the defects
could not be overcome, even If they were
combined in one person, who would by the
aid Of science be made an up-to-date bi-
cycle girl.
The expense, however, is considerable.
The latest improved bicycle legs would
cost from 800 to $50 each, according to The
difficulty found in making the proper ad-
justments to the trunk The arms reach
ing from the shoulders, and including sus-
penders and all other attachments, would
cost her SIS each.
The other defects could be supplied at
prices to suit the purse. In other words, q
girl, who, through accident or disease, is
today lying absolutely helpless, may, by
the expenditure of $500 to 500, array her
self in limbs of wood. and with a fair
chance of winning prize.