Joyeux Anniversaire Pierre Lallement!!!

Our preferred means of transport…

to show our guest New Orleans didn’t just appear out of thin air. Born on this day (October, 25, 1843) in Pont-à-Mousson, France; Pierre Lallement would give us the blue print for the first bicycle. Some of our staff’s ancestors come from North East France, so it gives us extra pride to know that’s where the genius for the bicycle originated. 

Lallement would further develop the concept of the dandy horse, the predecessor of what Pierre Lallement would call the velocipede. While the dandy horse was operated by running one’s feet on the ground while sitting on its saddle, Lallement envisioned the dandy horse with a crank and pedals. 

This little known man of invention set sail across the Atlantic and arrived on the shores of the United States in 1865. With the financial backing of James Carroll he would be awarded the first American patent for the prototype of the bicycle on Novemeber 20, 1866. On this day we remember Pierre Lallement and the outright joy that his veclocipede has given us. 

We won’t be having a 2nd line for his Birthday today. But the buzz of brass band music will be in our minds while giving our tours in celebration of his Birthday. 

Joyeux Anniversaire Pierre Lallement !

-Eric (Le Comte des Bicyclettes)