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- Title
Velocipedomania: A Cultural History of the Velocipede in France by Corry Cropper and Seth Whidden (review).
- Authors
Pelgrims, Claire
- Abstract
"Velocipedomania: A Cultural History of the Velocipede in France" by Corry Cropper and Seth Whidden is a book that explores the social impact of the velocipede, a precursor to the modern bicycle, on French society in the late 1860s. The authors highlight how the velocipede became a symbol of modernity, freedom, and Parisian identity, resonating with the social imagination of the time. The book includes translations of writings from the period that capture the meaning and importance attached to the velocipede, shedding light on its cultural significance. The authors also discuss the tensions and paradoxes surrounding the velocipede, including its relationship with carnival season, its portrayal as a marker of exclusivity and democracy, and its impact on the role of women in French society. The book provides insights into the cultural evolution of the late Second Empire and foreshadows the cultural impact of the modern bicycle.
- Subjects
FRANCE; CULTURAL history; FRENCH history; IMAGINATION; WOMEN'S roles; SOCIAL evolution; TECHNOLOGICAL innovations
- Publication
Technology & Culture, 2024, Vol 65, Issue 1, p360
- ISSN
0040-165X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1353/tech.2024.a920530