On Mon, 13 Oct 1997 12:52:17 -0400, Eric Aron <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

>    I am looking for some suggestions about what to say about the
>social/cultural significance of bicycles for an exhibits course.  I am a
>graduate student in public history at Northeastern.  The exhibit should
>have at most 30-40 objects, so the content of the script will need a
>specific focus.  For instance, I was thinking about only discussing the
>1890s peak of bicycle hysteria, or the six-day races, or Marshall Taylor
>and cycling.

So, I gather what you'll be saying is that the bicycle has had no
"social/cultural significance"?   The six-day races!? Do they have a
website?

<Sarcasm off>

Sorry, Eric, but my bias is towards focusing (a good thing) on content
that is important, or meaningful (an even better thing). What are you
trying to achieve in this exhibit, other than exposing 30-40 objects?
Why would the public want to see it? If you have found out through
your historic research that the six-day races were/are important
(caused WWII, freed the slaves, paved the way for the automobile,
etc.) then by all means, go to it. Otherwise, you're wasting your
time, the museum's time, and the public's time.

Anyway, I hope you take this reply as constructive feedback. Good luck
with your project. Asking here for ideas was a good idea. I'm just
still crabby from reading those museum giftstore messages.

By the way, I believe the standard social history 'take' on the
bicycle was that it coevolved with a change in women's clothing and a
slight improvement in their status as sentient beings..."Daisy, Daisy,
give me your answer do...."

Doug