Casey Robertson Illustrates Wilburt Stevens Maltby

Digital illustration of an analog photograph, how about that! Thank you Casey Robertson (aka @champagne_rodman) for helping us have some fun with history. This is Wilburt Stevens Maltby. Maltby and I both graduated from the same high school, but were separated by about 120 years. Maltby also happened to be employed and sponsored by the Keating Wheel Co during the 1890s as a trick cyclist. Thank you Casey for pumping some new life into this old photograph of ours, and continuing on Maltby’s legacy!

Nick KeatingMay 13, 2020Bicycle, Vintage, Illustration, Design, Analog, Maltby, Keating, Keating Wheel Company, Casey Robertson, 1890s, Track, Trick, Cycling, KWC

An American Cycler’s Rhapsody

It’s always a treat receiving messages from folks who have stumbled upon some cycling history in their family who hope to fill a hole in their research or share stories passed down across the generations.

One in particular came through the mailbox this week that, given our current state of Covid quarantine, became a strong reminder of connection and how the bicycle can ignite curiosity and bridge the gap between time (over a century in this case) and space (some thousand + miles).

Bicycle Crumbs Designs Our Family Portrait

Leave it to @bicyclecrumbs to put a smile on our faces amidst the covid craziness. Thanks for the family portraits my friend. 122 years might separate these two, but grandad is still looking pretty sprightly!

Nick KeatingApril 10, 2020Keating Wheel Company, KWC, Bicycle Crumbs, Design, Illustration, Bicycle, History, Track Bike

Keating Wheel Company Factory - Middletown, CT

On December 31, 1896, smoke billowed from the 135 foot chimney atop Keating’s factory for the first time.

Nick KeatingNovember 26, 2019Keating Wheel Company, KWC, Factory, GE, Bicycles, History, Electricity, Story, Middletown, Connecticut, Wheel Man, Power

H.F. Campbell x Providence City Hall

[May 17, 1892] H.F. Campbell rides his Keating bicycle down the stone steps of Providence City Hall - not once, but nine times - in a “dramatic” demonstration of strength.

Nick KeatingMarch 2, 2018Keating Wheel Company, KWC, History, Story, Providene, Rhode Island, City Hall, H.F. Campbell, Steps, Danny MacAskill, Santa Cruz, Bicycle, TricksComment