Motorcycles have been around long before the Kawasaki H2R was tearing up tracks at speeds upwards of 249 mph, and long before any of us were even born. However, these early bikes weren’t exactly the type you’d want for a cruise down a modern highway. The earliest prototype we can find for the contemporary motorcycle can be traced back to Sylvester Howard Roper. He was an American inventor responsible for the steam- powered velocipede (the early form of bicycle you see in old pictures) way back in 1867. The machine used coal to heat up steam which was then used to propel itself forward. But as you might expect, the vehicle wasn’t the safest form of transportation. Roper sadly learned this while demonstrating its capabilities in front of a crowd, and dying suddenly. Around the same time, other European inventors were attempting similar designs. But it wasn’t until Edward Butler developed the three-wheeled Butler Petrol Cycle that any were powered by combustion engines. Almost a year later, the Petroleum Reitwagen was built by the German inventors Gottlieb Daimler andWilhelm Maybach, though it functioned more as a testbed for a new engine design than a real usable vehicle.
After that, motorcycle popularity exploded, with many different manufacturers trying to capture this new market. Though few stuck around to develop exclusively motorcycles as the years went on, except for William Harley and the Davidson brothers, launching Harley-Davidson in 1903. Their first prototype, with a larger engine and a new loop-frame design, laid the framework for future motorcycles. The company’s early positive reputation would earn them huge profits in the coming years, particularly after the start of WorldWar I, when messengers on horses were replaced by motorbike riders. Meanwhile, the British company Triumph designed the Triumph Model H, which today, is widely regarded as the true predecessor to our modern machines, with its four-stroke single-cylinder engine, belt- driven rear wheel, and pedal-free operation. Regardless of their origins, though, two things are certain: Motorbikes are here to stay and they are getting more popular than ever. Skeptics of the two-wheeled vehicles may wonder why, but as any rider who’s taken a hairpin turn on a mountain highway can tell you, their popularity goes beyond a form of transport. It’s a way of life.
Sure, your showoff pal can wrap a tater tot with a piece of bacon and call it “The Daniel,” but you can take it a step further. Prepare a couple batches of these savory snacks for your Super Bowl party or the next family get-together. Snag a few for yourself before they disappear! Tater Tots BACONWRAPPED
INGREDIENTS
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2 cups frozen tater tots, defrosted 1 ounce sharp cheddar, cut into ¼-inch squares
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4 slices bacon, quartered
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. 2. Press a cheese square into each tot, then wrap with a piece of bacon. Dredge each tot in brown sugar. 3. Place tots seam side down on baking sheet. Bake for 20–25 minutes, using metal tongs to turn halfway through. 4. Garnish with parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.
800-859-8800 (Recipe inspired by ThisGrandmaIsFun.com.)
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