When I was in High School, on Saturdays I would go to the Library and look at turn of the Century (1900-1910) U.S. Patent Office Gazettes. Each month would consist of 4 or 5 large books about 5 inches thick. What surprised me was the amount of bicycle patents, from complete bikes to every part on a bike, and accessories. On FaceBook there is a listing for the "Online Bicycle Museum" based in the UK. They post all kinds of vintage information which validates the old saying "There is nothing new under the Sun".
Here's a few examples...
Here's a few examples...
