May 29, 2021 – National Bike Month | National Paperclip Day

Before The Bicycle Caught On, People Road Around On This Dandy Horse.

Welcome to May 29th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a good way to get around and a crazy way to trade up. 

Have you ever heard of a velocipede? It may sound like something out of Jurassic Park or even a giant insect, but it’s something a lot more ordinary. A velocipede was an early version of the bicycle, but without a key feature. Instead of using pedals, riders would propel the vehicle along with their legs and once it was going fast enough, they would pick up their feet and cruise along. A lot of people thought these looked silly and gave them the nickname “dandy horses,” which wasn’t the nicest expression at the time. About 50 years later, pedals and a chain were added and we got what we know today as bicycles. May is National Bike Month and today is the perfect day to get out and enjoy Spring!

Have you ever heard the story about the guy who traded a paperclip for a house?  Kyle MacDonald, a Canadian blogger played the childhood game called Bigger, Better and started with a simple paperclip.  The idea of the game is that you keep trading up for something bigger and better until you reach an item you would actually like to keep.  At first Kyle traded his paperclip for a fish-shaped pen.  After thirteen exchanges he found himself with a movie role, which someone offered to trade for their two story farm house in Kipling, Saskatchewan!   Imagine turning an office supply into a house after only fourteen transactions.  On National Paperclip Day, celebrate the simple things in life that are worth more than you think! 

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.


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