Rear-driver tandem, 30-inch wheels.
Facile lever-action, 40 front, 18 rear.
REMARKS ON BOLTON U. S. PATENT, SEPTEMBER 29, 1804.
([See cut], page 36.)
This early inventor, who had the honor of President Jefferson’s signature to his patent, was a clever genius in his time. I am constrained to think he was of that school which believes in the inherent power of the gear wheel; at least the four wheels, where there is no demand for more than two, would suggest this idea. According to our present system of gauging, this machine is geared to about fifteen. Mr. Bolton, however, was a pioneer, and as such we must hold him in great veneration.
ENGLISH PATENT, DECEMBER 2, 1818.
([See cut], page 35.)
There has been considerable discussion anent the earliest bicycle inventor, but after all his name seems to have been “Dennis,” or rather Dennis Johnson. As “Dennis” has been before us in the periodicals for a number of years, we will not dwell upon him; suffice it to say that his name will always hold the high place it deserves, as the first patentee of a single-track balancing machine.