An Amusement & Diversion for The Genteel Cyclist. Daily.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Know your bike history!


Today is the 100th birthday of UPS, United Parcel Service. Aside from the fact that this makes UPS a few years older than its kid brother in the civil service (the US Postal Service came a few years later) why should you care?

Well, because you will now learn a delightful factoid that will make you the life of today's happy hour: UPS started as a bike messenger service in Seattle.

A young man named Jim Casey borrowed $100 from a friend and started his street messenger service in Starbucks town...


In response to telephone calls received at their basement headquarters, messengers ran errands, delivered packages, and carried notes, baggage, and trays of food from restaurants. They made most deliveries on foot and used bicycles for longer trips.


Soon thereafter, messengers grew embarrassed at the number of non-messengers who took up cycling, co-opting their wicker baskets, wool knickers, and all the other stylish appointments of their uniquely appealing profession. As a result, they developed the uniquely insidious torture device known today as the fixed-gear bike.

Extra credit: Does UPS have any bike messengers today?

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