Patent 2236 of 11th August, 1870, by James Starley and William Hillman (while they were still employed by CMC) – for ‘improvements to wheels and driving gear’ – led to the first successful all-metal bicycle with metal spoked wheels, which came onto the market in 1871 as the ‘Ariel.’

Around 1870, English inventor James Starley described as the father of the bicycle industry, and others, began producing bicycles based on the French boneshaker but with front wheels of increasing size, [4] because larger front wheels, up to 5 feet (152 cm) in diameter, enabled higher speeds on bicycles limited to direct-drive.

James Starley is considered the father of the cycle industry. The Starley and Hillman patent was the first penny farthing, and his Ariel bicycle led to the founding of three of the most important British vehicle manufacturers:

James Starley (21 April 1830 – 17 June 1881) [1] was an English inventor and father of the bicycle industry. He was one of the most innovative and successful builders of bicycles and tricycles. His inventions include the differential gear, the perfection of the bicycle chain drive, and the penny-farthing.

In November of 1870 James Starley left CMC and formed Starley and Co. for the manufacture of his Lever Tension Wheels and to begin production of the "Ariel", an early all metal high wheel bicycle of his own design.

Invented by British engineer James Starley, the Penny-Farthing was introduced in the 1870s. The design featured a large front wheel, sometimes over five feet in diameter, which allowed for higher speeds. This was because the distance covered per pedal stroke was directly related to …

In 1870 Starley partnered with William Hillman, and their 1870 Ariel "high wheel" bicycle was the first use of the name Ariel and was the first commercially produced bicycle! Starley is credited with the invention.

The Starley and Hillman patent illustrated the first ordinary (penny farthing), and led to the founding of three of the most important British vehicle manufacturers: 1. William Hillman subsequently founded ‘Hillman, Herbert & Cooper’ who …

In 1869 the Coventry makers James Starley and William Hillman patented the "Ariel," a bicycle whose front wheel was considerably higher than the rear wheel. In order to promote their vehicle, Starley and Hillman rode the 153 km between Coventry and London on their Ariel in one day, attracting the attention of the press.

May 22, 2023 · The Penny-Farthing bike was invented in 1871 by James Starley. This bicycle became popular in the 1870s and early 1880s. It had a short run because, in 1985, the 1885 Rover safety bicycle was invented with more modern materials. The new design of tire creation and that classic look of the penny-farthing soon became highly popular in England and ...