Inventor. Born near Dumfries, Scotland, September 2, 1812, he was a blacksmith credited for inventing the first successful bicycle. In 1839, he came up with an idea for the first pedal set-up that could more effectively drive the two wheel bike. Using his blacksmith tools, he put together a contraption which had a wood frame, iron-rimmed wooden wheels and was attached to pedals via connecting rods. His creation gathered a lot of attention and Macmillan helped generate additional publicity when he rode the bike 68 miles to visit his brothers in Glasgow in 1842. Bicycling suddenly took a giant leap forward with his invention being produced by other firms and appearing on the open market. Macmillan's invention was never patented and he saw little profit from his innovation. He died in Keir, Scotland, January 26, 1878.
Inventor. Born near Dumfries, Scotland, September 2, 1812, he was a blacksmith credited for inventing the first successful bicycle. In 1839, he came up with an idea for the first pedal set-up that could more effectively drive the two wheel bike. Using his blacksmith tools, he put together a contraption which had a wood frame, iron-rimmed wooden wheels and was attached to pedals via connecting rods. His creation gathered a lot of attention and Macmillan helped generate additional publicity when he rode the bike 68 miles to visit his brothers in Glasgow in 1842. Bicycling suddenly took a giant leap forward with his invention being produced by other firms and appearing on the open market. Macmillan's invention was never patented and he saw little profit from his innovation. He died in Keir, Scotland, January 26, 1878.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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