A trade catalogue issued in 1900 by Charles L Millar, whose Scotch Accessory House supplied a wide range of goods to the cycle trade "at lowest London prices". In addition to saddles, tyres, bells and lamps, the catalogue lists many obscure item used in manufacturing as well as in maintaining bicycles. These include spoke screwing machines, drills, carbide of calcium and cut nippers, which came with a note: "owing to the ease with which a cutting nipper can be broken by being put to an improper use, I have been compelled to withdraw all warranty on the above nippers."
Cycling enjoyed a boom in the early years of the 20th century, being a relatively cheap and healthy means of private transport. Cycle maintenance required only the most basic mechanics' skills.
Reference: Mitchell Library, GC 629.2272 CHA
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning
Keywords:
bells, bicycle maintenance, bicycle manufacturers & repairers, bicycle repairers, bicycles, cycles, cycling, Scotch Accessory House, trade catalogues