Share

Kirkpatrick Macmillan biography

Quick Facts

  • NAME: Kirkpatrick Macmillan
  • OCCUPATION: Inventor
  • BIRTH DATE: c. September 02, 1812
  • DEATH DATE: c. January 26, 1878
  • PLACE OF BIRTH: Thornhill, Scotland

Best Known For

Kirkpatrick Macmillan is best known for inventing the first pedal bicycle.


Quiz

Think you know about Biography?

Answer questions and see how you rank against other players.

Play Now

Synopsis

Kirkpatrick Macmillan was a blacksmith born in Scotland, who in 1837 built a bicycle on which the rider pushed himself along with his feet. Three years later Macmillan had applied the crank to his machine to make the world's first pedal cycle, with wooden frame and iron-tired wheels. His invention was never patented, and for many years it was credited to one of his imitators.

Inventor of the Bicycle

Kirkpatrick Macmillan was born in 1812 near Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway, in southwest Scotland. In 1837 Macmillan, a blacksmith, built a 'dandy' horse—a kind of bicycle on which the rider pushed himself along with his feet. Three years later he had applied the crank to his machine to make the world's first pedal cycle, with wooden frame and iron-tired wheels. His invention was never patented, and for many years it was credited to one of his imitators, Gavin Dalzell.

© 2013 A+E Networks. All rights reserved.

ADVERTISEMENT
9393985 9393985
profile id: 9393985
profile name: Kirkpatrick Macmillan
profile occupation:
related profile id: 9393985
related profile name: Kirkpatrick Macmillan
related profile occupation:
related profile img: /assets/images/no-image.jpg
related profile URL: /people/kirkpatrick-macmillan-9393985
profile
pop
Your Connections

Sign in with Facebook to see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons.

specific profile connection
Your Friends' Connections
specific friend connection
Profile Connections
    Show More Connections
    Included In These Groups

    See all related groups


    ADVERTISEMENT

    Celebrity Connections

    Show More Connections
    Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!