Kansas City daily journal., 1897-01-24
BICYCLE PALACE FOR PARIS.
Unique Structure Designed for the
Exposition of 1900.

The Paris exposition is to witness the
crcwning triumph of the bicycle 1t will be
in the form of n bicycle palace. one which
every wheelman VINO sees will regard as
marking the most important recognition
that the cycle ever received. The plans,
which have just been favorably considered
by the committee on buildings, were devel-
oped by NJ. Paul Lemay, wheelman of
considerable note abroad who has worked
upon the idea for months past So brilliant
are his plans and so daring his conception
that both won admiration All sorts OF
schemes are submitted, some of them as
imI ossible as they are daring, and at first
NJ. Lemays plan was classed among these.
The palace itself will be an unusual
structure. The interior will not be broken
up into apartments to any extent 1t Will
be used for the display of the wheel in all
its forms from the first crude two-wheeled
walking machine to the delicate mechanism
which will mark the improved wheel at the
close of the present century. OF course no
one knows just what the next three years
will develop. There will doubtless be some
wonderful improvements in the wheeling
world. Some believe that the motor cycle
will eventually replace the self-propelled
wheel.
The exact dimensions of the palace have
not yet been decided upon. but the plans
outline a structure that will accommodate
1909 persons on the ground floor. There Is
an aim at the Gothic in exterior appear
ancc-that is, as far as the Gothic can be
produced with the several parts of a BIZ
cycle The ground surrounding the struct-
leading to the common center. All the
windows are to be circular. with spoke
frames, and with a small colored circular
pane in the center indicative of the hub.
The main entrance will be entirely of
marble, cut in the form of immense bicycle
forks, while overhead will rest huge han.
die bar of Furnished steel. A number of
smaller rooms will lead off from the main
floor. separated only by festooned curtains
which will be made entirely of network
as the material usually used in the wind
guard on the wOman'S bicycle. j
At either end of the main floor will be
monster wheel, with illuminated tires.
These monster wheels will revolve from
the time the exposition opens until its
close. Aside from the light produced in
this manner the only illumination will be
large bicycle lamps. Every seat in the
building will be made of parts of a bicycle
though many of them will be SO arranged
as to be far more comfortable than the
very latest in saddles. Curved and straight
handle bars will be used for backs, and
cushioned wheels in some cases for seats
while the chairs will be held up by diff
ferent parts of the frame.
The rare exhibits will be guarded from
the visitors curious touch by series of
sprooket chains. and the lecturers, OF
travel about the building in the latest
giraffe wheels. Refreshments will be serv-
ed by busy corps of attendants mounted
on bicycles, and it Is promised that the
manner in which these gentlemen will
conduct their evolutions will be truly re-
markable
grated with sprockets and surrounded at
short distances by tires. Even the floor
will represent the wheel. Circular tiles
are to be inlaid with spokes and the tri-
angles formed by the meeting of every
three circles will be filed by tiles repre-
senting small cycle frames. There will
of course, be a lively jingle of bicycle
bells. this being the only form of signal
ing that will be allowed in the building.
Every kind of bell. from the silver-toned
tinkle TO the ambulance-like gong, will be
used.
All the doors are to be locked at night
with bicycle locks. and Il number of spe-
cial gendarmes will patrol the grounds on
wheels.
Every seat in the building will be pneu-
matte. and be supplied with Il bell. The
main floor is, of course. to be kept clear for
the public performances and contests.
There will be only one exhibit in the CEN
ter of the room. This will consist of Il
number of the very latest inventions OF the
bicycle world The whole will be surround
ed by a monster electric unicycle, the in
vention of Il Partisan electrician. This
feature is subject to change in case more
advanced invention is received.
The roof of the building will be festoon-
ed. the girders being made of steel, with
every conceivable part of bicycle woven
into the designs Orders have already been
placed in England for the manufacture of
all the pottery to be used in the build
ing Every piece will be made bicycle
fashion: cups, saucers, plates-in fact,
even the forks will represent the wheel,
being only two-pronged and made in the
manner of bicycle forks.