Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-01
FOR WOMEN CYCLISTS

In response TO a query as to the maker of
the first ladies' wheel. the proper reply
ould be to say that there is some conten-
ton over the invention. The matter was
fully published in the cycle department of
The Star some months ago, stating that
the claim for the honor lay between the
late w. f. Smith and Bert Owen, formerly
of this city and now of New London, Conn.
Both of these manufactured a drop frame
wheel, substantially the same as used to-
day, and the friends of each give their
man the credit of putting the first wheel
ON the market The official records show
that on November 20, 1883, design patent
for frame for a womans bicycle was
granted to Mr.. Smith. Another patent was
issued December IS, 1885, to j. M. Star
ley of Coventry, England, II. s. owen being
assignee for one-half of the latter patent
Starley was at that time making the
Psyche wheel, and Bert Owen was the
representative of that make in this city.
That was the time before the American
manufacturers began making bicycles, and
all wheels were imported from England.
The Psyche wheel was then the only make
of bicycle sold in this city. BE the claim
it may. and the date of the patents as
evidence, there is a drop-frame wheel now
On exhibition in the National Museum.
which Is labeled the original ladies' safety.
This wheel is said to have been built by
G. T.. Duryea, now the well-known motor
vehicle manufacturer, who at that
time the foreman of Bert Owens shop.
The drop-frame wheel invented by Mr..
Smith was first ridden by his wife Its APP
pe3rance at that time caused something
like a sensation, and the fact that a
man had started riding a wheel was a
piece of news that was flashed all over
the country. This was somewhere around
1881. Slice the appearance of the original
n frp oh.
made. Patents have been granted, how
ever for modified forms. In 1889 the first
patent was taken out in this country for
the combination ladies' and gentleman's
wheel, which had removable top bar.
Since that time the use of the wheel by
women has increased almost at as rapid
rate as by the men. The fact that the
women have started in the sport is prob
ably due the popularity the machine enjoys
at the present time. 1t has ceased to be
a fashionable fad, and is recognized on all
sides as an excellent means of exercise.
We have all seen the bicycle girl in
reality. but to see one In wax Is something
new, yet that is new opening that is rap
idly coming to tie front There is a sculp-
tor in New York city who Is making an
excellent livelihood by making the wax fig
ures of bicycle girls and other emblems
These are used by certain dealers to adj
vertise their goods. The great trouble with
old wax figures was that they were sta
tionary, and remained in the one position
With the bicycle figures the construction
is entirely different. The limitations are
able to move about, assisted by bicycles,
and in SO lifelke fashion that the on
locker is amazed when the facts reveal
themselves. One of the most difficult fea-
lures of the creation Of these figures is
placing the hair upon the head in such
way that 1t seems to counterfeit nature,
both in texture and arrangement. Very
often this hair has been taken from the
head of person. and the skill lies in
placing 1t upon the caput of the figure
that any appearance which could SAVIOR
of a wig-like effect Is avoided. The eyes
are formed of glass, coloIed in close imi-
tation of nature and SO cleveriy is the de-
ception carried out that they almost seem
to be endowed with sight.
Here is what n Chicago lady physician
has to say in regard to bicycling:
Does wheeling age woman? That this
Is an era of cycling, coupled with the fact
that this is an era of untoward perfection
of physical health among women, would
seem a conclusive argument in the mega
tive. Women have never been known to
be healthier, stronger and seemingly hap
pier than they are at the present time In
my long experience as a physician / have
never seen so little illness among them and
have positively no patients whose all
meEts can be attributable to cycling. If
woman is perfectly well, she looks at least
as young as she is. OF course. this form of
exercise, like any other. should be taken
in moderation. 1t can DE overdone with
disastrous results. But those women who
are not sane enough to look out for their
own welfare should not ride at ALL / do
not think that wheeling makes n woman
look older IL she dresses herself appropri-
ately. Some of the women we see on the
boulevards. however. might be adjudged in
their second childhood by the absurdity of
their apparel. l saw one the other day in
a regular mans bicycling suit, but she
looked none the younger for the outlandish
costume. The hair being dressed so plain
ly. as is necessary for neatness on a Wheel
probably heightens the impression of age
1t Is better for the hair though. than ever
lasting crimping and frizzing. On the WHOLE