For a few brief decades of human history, just before combustion engines and motorcycles and cars burst onto the scene, the bicycle was the most advanced personal land vehicle around. They were wonders of technology and personal style—as these beautiful ads show.


As Gizmodo continues its Bike Month coverage, take a second to imagine what life was like in a time when the bike was the epitome of technological progress—here are 29 ads for long-list bikes, from the stylish, to the curvy, to the sometimes crazy.

Victor, Victoria bicycles. Overman Wheel Co., 1896. Artist: Will Bradley.


Source: Library Of Congress

Orient cycles lead the leaders. Waltham M'f'g' Co., c1890. Artist: Edward Penfield.

Source: Library Of Congress

Déesse bicycle, Paris, c1890. Artist: Jean de Paleologue.


Source: Library Of Congress

Ride a Stearns and be content / J. Ottmann Lith. Co., Puck Bld'g, N.Y., 1896. Artist: Edward Penfield.


Source: Library Of Congress

Victor Bicycles Overman Wheel Co., 1896. Artist: Will Bradley.


Source: Library Of Congress

Dayton cycles, France, c1898. Artist: Henry Thiriet.


Source: Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Waverley cycles, Paris, 1898. Artist: Alphonse Mucha.


Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France

The Prudent buyer selects the Shirk, the latest, neatest, and lightest bicycle in the world / Ottman, Chic., c1890. Artist: unknown.


Source: Library Of Congress

Cycles Clément, Paris, 1898. Artist: Jean de Paleologue.


Source: Library Of Congress

Cycles Humber, 1890. Artist: Alfred Choubrac.


Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France

Gladiator cycles, 1880. Artist: unknown.


Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France

Townsend's Limited Cycles. Redditch. England. 1890. Artist: unknown.


Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France

Papillon bicycle by the Société française pour la construction de cycles, 1890. Artist: A. Bonnard.


Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France

American Crescent cycles, 1899. Artist: T. Ramsdell.


Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France

Cycles Decauville, Paris, 1895. Artist: Alfred Choubrac.


Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France

Clément cycles, Paris, 1890. Artist: George Moore.


Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France

Brillant Cycles, 1900. Artist: Raymond Tournon.


Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France

Peugeot, c1880. Artist: Francisco Tamagno.


Source: Les Silos Médiathèque

Clément, 1896. Artist: Lucien Baylac.


Source: Les Silos Médiathèque

Cycles Gladiator, c1880. Artist: Unknown.


Source: Les Silos Médiathèque


Source: Les Silos Médiathèque

Clément, c1880. Artist: Jean de Paléologue.


Source: Les Silos Médiathèque

Delizy and Poiret bikes, 1890. Artist: Unknown.


Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France

Le Cyclone, 1892. Artist: Unknown.


Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France

Howe bicycles and tricycles, 1895. Artist: Unknown.


Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France

Cycles de luxe and chainless cycles, 1897. Artist: Unknown.


Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France

Cycles Papillon, c1880. Artist: Certhus.


Source: Les Silos Médiathèque

Cycles Peugeot, 1895. Artist: Ernest Vulliemin.


Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France

Cycles Perfecta. 1902. Artist: Alphonse Mucha.


Source: photobucket/muchacompleteworks