Who was Kirkpatrick Macmillan and what did he do?
Kirkpatrick Macmillan. Kirkpatrick Macmillan (2 September 1812 in Keir, Dumfries and Galloway – 26 January 1878 in Keir) was a Scottish blacksmith. He is generally credited with inventing the pedal driven bicycle.
Where did Kirkpatrick Macmillan invent the bicycle?
Kirpatrick Macmillan is often credited with the invention of the bicycle. He lived at Keir Mill near Dunscore in Dumfries & Galloway where he worked as a blacksmith. He never patented his invention and was inspired after seeing a velocipede that he copied and improved.
How many miles did Kirkpatrick Macmillan ride to Dumfries?
Nevertheless, Macmillan quickly mastered the art of riding it on the rough country roads, and was soon accustomed to making the fourteen-mile journey to Dumfries in less than an hour. His next exploit was to ride the 68 miles into Glasgow in June 1842.
When did Kirkpatrick Macmillan and Elizabeth Goldie get married?
In 1854, Macmillan tied the nuptial knot with Elizabeth Goldie. The couple was blessed with two children. He breathed his last on January 26, 1878 in Courthill. A plaque on his family smithy read as, ‘He builded better than he knew’.
Where can I see Kirkpatrick Macmillan’s bicycle?
As a mark of commemoration for the man who gave the world the pleasure of driving a bicycle, Macmillan’s early bike can be seen at the Glasglow Transport Museum. He is the inventor of the modern pedal bicycle.
When did Kirkpatrick Macmillan invent the pedal driven bicycle?
Invention of pedal driven bicycle. Macmillan allegedly completed construction of a pedal driven bicycle of wood in 1839 that included iron-rimmed wooden wheels, a steerable wheel in the front and a larger wheel in the rear which was connected to pedals via connecting rods.