Thomas Stevens was born in 1854. Stevens was the first person to circle theglobe on a bike. Stevens had always loved to read travel books. He moved to theUnited... » 

Thomas Stevens was born in 1854. Stevens was the first person to circle theglobe on a bike. Stevens had always loved to read travel books. He moved to theUnited States in 1872. In 1884 he left San Francisco on a blackenameledColumbia 50inch Standard model pennyfarthing with nickelplated wheels builtby the Pope Manufacturing Company of Chicago. The bike got its name from theEnglish coins a penny and a farthing. The two coins put together resemble thesize of the two wheels of the bike. He rode 3700 miles visiting bike clubs onthe way. He ended his journey in Boston. He then boarded a steamer bound forLiverpool where he continued his journey across Europe and Asia. The letters hesent to Harpers magazine have been complied into a two volume set. «