The Bicycle as an Engine of Human History
The old “stirrup theory” of history held that the introduction of the stirrup, by enabling armed forces to mount attacks from horseback, fundamentally shaped the course of human history — an idea that always struck me as interesting but perhaps a bit overblown — sort of like the bird that flaps its wings in Brazil and sets in motion global forces.
Anyway, it’s now being argued that the bicycle was to women’s liberation as the stirrup was to warfare. I tend to take bikes more seriously than stirrups. Read about it here.
Comments
Re: "the bird that flaps its wings in Brazil..."
It's a butterfly, not a bird.
Posted by: Dan Goodman | June 12, 2008 01:19 AM
It's a butterfly flapping its wings, not a bird.
Posted by: Dan Goodman | June 12, 2008 01:21 AM
Oops, I´ve inadvertently stepped on the wings of a butterfly lover. Sorry.
Posted by: Lee Sigelman | June 12, 2008 08:06 AM
Some time ago I read a Masters Thesis on how the development of maxi-pads contributed to women's liberation, in part by making heavy dresses less necessary. Very interesting stuff. Apparently they were first developed as pre-packaged bandages for WWI and adapted by nurses. Funny how the unintended consequences of things can work out.
Posted by: matt | June 13, 2008 12:02 PM