The collection shows the development of the cycle from the 1860's to the 1960's, and includes examples of the original ‘Boneshaker', penny farthings, an ‘Imperial Club' tricycle and the more modern ‘Rover Safety Cycle'.
It is appropriate to have this display at White House as the owner of the property from the 1920 to the 1946, William Ingamells, made Sirdar bicycles here. Few examples are known to survive but older residents recall them about the town. As well as standard touring bicycles, more sporting models were assembled and used in local and Tasmanian competitions
History
The evolution of cycles through the 1860's began with the Micheaux type Velocipede, commonly known as the ‘Boneshaker'. Heavy, and with the pedals fixed to the front wheel, these were only one step removed from the earlier ‘Hobbyhorse' which had no pedals and were propelled along by the feet of the rider.
The next development was the ‘Ordinary', now better known as the ‘Penny Farthing'. The basic principle behind this striking design was that the rider was able to cover a long distance for each turn of the front wheel. However the problem of mounting and dismounting meant that this design only lasted about 20 years before the next stage in the development of the cycle.
Ordinaries were made with varying front wheel diameters, typically between 48” (1.22m) and 56” (1.42m), but one of the largest , made in the 1870's, had a diameter of 84' (2.13m) and had two mounting steps on the frame.
Of particular interest in the collection is an Australian-built Ordinary, “The Victory”, a 56” model made by H.Bassett & Co. in Melbourne and said to be the same as, and certainly similar to, those ridden around the world in the late 1880's by Burston & Stokes. This journey is recorded in the book “Round About the World on Bicycles – The Pleasure Tour of GW Burston & HR Stokes”, published in 1890.
Another unusual Ordinary is the rare pneumatic-tyred cycle (c.1890). The pneumatic tyre was invented by John Dunlop in the late 1880's, by which time the Ordinary was being superseded by the new ‘Safety' bike, so there were very few Ordinaries made that were fitted with the pneumatic tyres. In 1890 over 98% of all bicycles made were fitted with solid tyres but by 1894 the figure was less than 1%.
One of the most expensive in the collection is the Coventry Machinists Company “Imperial Club” tricycle (c.1885). Beautifully made, easy to ride and fitted with oil lamps this originally cost ₤24, which is roughly equivalent today to $4,500. Tricyclists seem to have considered themselves superior to bicyclists, if this circular in the Bicycle Touring Club newsletter is typical – “It is desired by most Tricyclists to separate themselves entirely from the Bicyclists, who are a disgrace to the pastime. While Tricyclists include Princes, Princesses, Dukes, Earls etc. there are none of the upper circles who ride Bicycles. This is easily seen and it is plain that the Tricyclists are altogether a better class than the Bicyclists and require better accommodation on tours etc.”
The coming of the modern bicycle or ‘Safety' bike, and hence the decline of the ‘Ordinary', was heralded by the introduction of J K Stanley's “Rover Safety Cycle' at the Stanley Show (England) in 1885. Although the initial design had some perceived faults, particularly the complex steering, the machine had many features we are now accustomed to – diamond frame, adjustable seat and handle bars, and a chain and sprocket to drive the rear wheels. The design was soon modified and it became the pattern for many manufacturers. With large-scale production methods available by this time, the number of cyclists increased rapidly. One of the early ‘Safety' bikes in the collection is a Coventry Machinists Company ‘Swift' (c.1889/1890).
Many bicycles were made in Tasmania during the last century. Most of them were assembled from proprietary parts, usually English – BSA, Phillips etc. – but badged by the local makers. Among the collection are four Launceston makers – ‘Cyclone' by Frank Pfundt, the ‘Minx' by Max Gee, the ‘Athmar' by Athol Martin and ‘Champion' by John King. The 1960's 28” Athmar lightweight competition cycle illustrates the changes in the design and technology of the cycle since the 1860's.
ABC TV production Collectors has featured the White House bicycle collection in Episode 19 - Eclectic - Old bicycles - first screened 16 June 2006.