1855-60

Frenchman Ernest Michaux adds crank treadles to a velocipede (round shafts).

1863

Pierre Lallement attaches a pair of pedals to a two-wheeler in Paris (round spools of wood on a shaft).

1866

The first bicycle-related U.S. patent is granted to Pierre Lallement for a single-sided counter-balanced bicycle pedal.

1868

Clement Ader bike features primitive toe clip.

1870-80

E.A. Cowper invents the ball bearing for bicycles. Others refine it for wheels, cranks and headsets.

1884

Bown invents the "Aeolus" pedal with rubber tread, the first pedal with ball bearings.

1895

U.S. has two patent offices, one for bicycles and one for everything else.

4/1895

Charles Hanson of Peace Dale, Rhode Island invents first clipless pedal. (Twist to lock and unlock. Has rotational float.).

7/1895

Elijah Harris invents first suction cup clipless pedal (suction cups on pedal adhere to shoe).

10/1895

Canadian Marmaduke Matthews invents first recessed-cleat, dual-sided, spring-actuated clipless pedal..

1897

Joseph Hanson patents a new type of floating clipless pedal. (Twist to lock and unlock. Has rotational float.)

1897

Donald Macintyre patents a new type of recessed-cleat clipless pedal.

1897

Tudor invents first magnetic clipless pedal.

1898

Ramsey invents first swing pedal (drop-spindle type).

1898

Racer pedal clip is patented (transforms a traditional pedal into a clipless pedal).

1899

Whaley patents the adjustable stirrup toe clip (foot wedges into steel and leather hoop on pedal).

1899

Edmonds and Metzel invent the cylinder pedal (Aerolite type).

1900

Cole invents the extension stirrup pedal (with a stirrup hanging under the spindle)

1900

Toe strap is invented (belt-type buckle).

1904

"Le Chat" toeclip.

1912

English ladies' pedal.

1912

"Pedal will not mar leather shoes and does not leave any print, the sole alone is secured between the two rubber cones."

1930s

Lyotard introduces the platform pedal.

1947

Self-clinching, quick-release toe strap is invented (Binda-type).

1952

Cartridge and needle bearings are introduced in pedals.

1957

Tullio Campagnolo introduces "Nuovo" quill-type road pedals.

1973

Cino Cinelli invents manual-locking M-71 clipless pedal (first modern clipless pedal).

7/1974

Bruno Gormond patents clipless pedal (single-sided, step down, ski-binding-type, automatic lock).

6/1975

James Lauterback patents clipless pedal (three sides, slide foot in or out to manually lock or release).

2/1981

Jean-Francois Drugeon patents clipless pedal (single-sided, ski-binding-type, automatic lock).

12/1981

Hubert Kupper patents clipless pedal (single-sided, ski-binding-type, automatic lock).

9/1983

John Winkie patents Keywin clipless pedal (single-sided, rotate foot to lock and release).

12/1983

Jean Bernard & Michel Mercier patent Look clipless pedal (first clipless pedal to achieve market success).

1985

Bernard Hinault wins Tour de France on prototype Look clipless pedals.

1986

Hinault and Greg LeMond take first and second in Tour de France using Look pedals.

1986

Look pedals are introduced to the consumer bicycle market.

1988

Jean Beyl patents the Time pedal (reintroducing rotational float to clipless pedals).

7/1989

Richard Bryne patents Speedplay X pedal (improves performance features of clipless road pedals).

11/1990

Masashi Nagano patents Shimano SPD clipless mountain bike pedals (reintroducing recessed cleats).

9/1992

Richard Bryne patents Speedplay Frog all-terrain pedal (lightest recessed-cleat pedal system).

2000

Richard Bryne patents Speedplay Zero pedal system (0 to 15 degrees of microadjustable float.