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The Bicycle

Engineering Marvel and Great Social Reformer

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Abstract

Bicycle—the machine that is perhaps most closely associated with our daily lives but the least understood since very few pay any attention to this constant companion. Bicycles have has a very colourful history and it has led to the development of many technological innovations, including automobiles. What is still less recognised is its contribution to some important social reforms, particularly women’s freedom from the domestic confines. This article presents a short account of these developments.

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Suggested Reading

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Correspondence to Amitabha Ghosh.

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Amitabha Ghosh was a Professor at IIT Kanpur till his retirement in 2006. In between, he spent five years (1997 to 2002) at IIT Kharagpur as the Director. Currently he is working as a Senior Scientist of the Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi and is associated with Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Sibpur as Honorary Distinguished Professor.

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Ghosh, A. The Bicycle. Reson 26, 1081–1102 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12045-021-1210-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12045-021-1210-4

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