Diesel Engine: Powering the Modern World.
The bicycle is one of the most transformative inventions in human history: it changed how people travel, connected rural and urban life, and inspired modern engineering in countless ways. While many associate the bicycle’s origin with French or German inventors, an often-overlooked figure — Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a Scottish blacksmith — is credited by some historians as the first person to build a pedal-powered two-wheeler around 1839–1840. His design laid the groundwork for the modern bicycle we know today.
Who Was Kirkpatrick Macmillan?
Kirkpatrick Macmillan (1812–1878) was born in Keir, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
The son of a blacksmith, Macmillan learned his father's trade.
Though formally uneducated, he was mechanically gifted and interested in solving practical problems.
Lived most of his life working as a rural blacksmith.
It was in his modest workshop that Macmillan supposedly built what would become a historic invention.
The Bicycle Before Macmillan
Before Macmillan, the concept of a bicycle-like vehicle already existed:
1817: German inventor Karl Drais created the Draisine (also known as the "hobby horse" or "running machine") — a wooden two-wheeled vehicle without pedals that riders propelled by pushing their feet against the ground.
These early machines were popular but limited by the need for constant foot contact with the road.
What was missing was a way to move forward without touching the ground — the essence of true cycling.
Macmillan’s Invention: Adding Pedals
Around 1839–1840, Macmillan reportedly built a two-wheeled vehicle with:
A fixed rear wheel drive system operated by treadle pedals connected to rods and cranks.
Wooden wheels with iron rims, similar to carriage wheels.
A heavy but rideable frame.
This design meant:
The rider could keep their feet off the ground.
Motion was powered by pressing the pedals, which turned the rear wheel.
This was a major advance: unlike the Draisine, Macmillan’s machine could be pedaled forward, making it the earliest known pedal-driven bicycle.
The Famous Ride to Glasgow
One of the most repeated stories about Macmillan is his ride in 1842:
Macmillan allegedly rode about 40 miles from his village to Glasgow.
While riding through the city, he accidentally knocked over a young girl.
Local newspapers reported the incident, calling it an accident involving a "velocipede".
This story is often cited as evidence of Macmillan’s invention and use of his pedal-powered bicycle.
The Controversy Over Credit
Despite these stories, there’s significant debate among historians:
Macmillan never patented his design, and there are no known detailed plans drawn by him.
Most accounts come from later reports, especially an article written in the 1890s by journalist James Johnston, who also built a replica based on local memories.
Some historians argue the design might have been exaggerated or that other inventors built similar machines around the same time.
Nevertheless, Macmillan is often celebrated in Scotland as a pioneering figure in cycling history.
Legacy: What Macmillan Started
Regardless of the exact details, Macmillan’s design foreshadowed key features of modern bicycles:
Foot-powered propulsion without ground contact.
Two wheels in line with steering capability.
His work paved the way for later improvements:
The "boneshaker" bicycle of the 1860s with pedals attached directly to the front wheel.
The penny-farthing of the 1870s–1880s with a large front wheel.
The safety bicycle of the late 19th century with equal-sized wheels and a chain drive — the true ancestor of today’s bicycles.
Macmillan’s Place in History
Today, Macmillan’s contribution is often honored:
Statues and plaques in Dumfries and Galloway.
His story is included in exhibitions on the history of cycling.
Even if details are debated, Macmillan represents the spirit of 19th-century innovation: ordinary craftspeople solving practical problems and transforming everyday life.
Conclusion
The invention of the bicycle by Kirkpatrick Macmillan around 1839–1840 stands as a milestone in the evolution of human transport. From a rural blacksmith’s workshop in Scotland, the idea of a pedal-powered vehicle emerged — an idea that would reshape travel, sport, and leisure around the world.
Whether as legend, fact, or both, Macmillan’s story is part of the rich tapestry of cycling history — and a testament to how ingenuity can come from the most unexpected places.