THE BARTON COUNTY DEMOCRAT — MAY 13, 1897
A Somewhat Striking Novelty in the Velocipede Line.
Humbrecht’s dicycle, patented November 10, 1896, is a striking novelty in the velocipede line. Two wheels are mounted on a V-shaped axle, between which the rider sits. A crank-shaft having foot-pedals is suspended trom the axle convenient for the rider to operate. Sprocket wheels are mounted at either end of the crank-shaft, and connect by drive-chains with loose sprocket wheels on the axle. The last named sprockets are loosely connected to the hubs of the supporting wheels, and suitable clutches are mounted on the axle adjacent to the sprocket, whereby the latter arc coupled to the wheel-hubs, and the machine driven or propelled either forward or backward. Handles are provided on the clutches to readily throw them into and out of gear when it is desired to slacken up or to turn the machine. The rider’s seat is swung below the bearings, so that he can’t upset.
The dicycle will doubtless become popular, as it is especially adapted to those who do not care to go to the trouble of learning to ride a bicycle, and it is easily ridden, and old and young are equally suited to it. As there is no straddling necessary, the modesty due to the ladies is always present in the dicycle, as seen in one of the accompanying cuts, and no unbecoming bloomers or short skirts are necessary. The wheel can be used advantageously by soldiers and messengers in time of war, as it cannot be injured to any great extent by a few bullets, or disabled, as can a horse, whose life is always at stake, even by a single missile. Baggage and equipments can be carried to quite a large extent, and the cavalry of the future will doubtless be mounted, as shown in the cut.
From—The Barton County Democrat. (Great Bend, Kan.), 13 May 1897. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
