Thomas Humber was called the
"Father of the British Cycle
Industry"
The bikes produced at his Nottingham factory
from the mid-1800's were the forerunners of
the modern bike.
His bikes featured a diamond frame, chaindriven rear wheel drive, equally sized wheels
with metal rims and rubber tyres - the first to
bring all these innovation together on one
bike .
Pretty much the same as we have now.
In 1919 Humber produced the following booklet
called “Cycling in the Old Days ” - a potted
history of the company. I've reconstructed this
as far as I could...
Kev, bottombracket.co.uk
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
This 1945 advert apologises to customers for war-time shortages
as Humber production turned to military vehicles.
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands
Tom Humber's own bike now on display at Nottingham Industrial Museum.
The bicycle created such an impact when it started
to become a common sight on the roads that it was
the subject of many popular musical hall songs...
The Beast on a Beeston Humber
"I've lost my pal, that's why I've got this pal-lor on my
brow.
I used to be a cyclist, but I'm on the sick list now.
My Sally rode a Raleigh, and we went out every day.
But a beast on a Beeston Humber came and stole my
love away."
Visit us on facebook
www.bottombracket.co.uk for cyclists in the East Midlands