Thomas Humber

Thomas Humber
Thomas Humber circa 1890
Born16 October 1841
Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Died24 November 1910 (1910-11-25) (aged 69)
Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, England
Occupation(s)Engineer, entrepreneur, manufacturer of Humber Cycles
Spouses
  • Emma Freeman
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1863; died 1903)​
  • Eleanor Robinson
    ​
    (m. 1903)​
Children2

Thomas Humber (16 October 1841 – 24 November 1910) was an English engineer and cycle manufacturer who developed and patented a safety bicycle (1884) with a diamond-shaped frame and wheels of similar size.[1] It became a pattern for subsequent machines. Humber made many other improvements to bicycles. About 1868 he founded Humber Cycles, the bicycle manufacturing business at Beeston, Nottinghamshire later owned by Humber & Co Limited.

Humber improved cycle technology through the independence of his thinking and his practical ability. The reliability of his products arose from his high standards and emphasis on quality. It all led to Humber becoming regarded as the aristocrat among bicycles.

  1. ^ "VELOGIPE'DE. No. 305,690. 1 Patented Sept. 23, 1884". 23 September 1884. Retrieved 14 November 2016.