In 1819, made and sold Britain's first bicycle in its hobby-horse form. As a coachmaker Johnson was able to make significant improvements to the two-wheel velocipede, as invented by von Drais. He obtained a patent for his "pedestrian curricle", manufactured them and opened a school teaching people how to ride them. They became a bit of a craze with even the Prince Regent riding them.
Died at home and was buried at St Martin's Chapel, Camden Town.
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Denis Johnson
City of Westminster Denis Johnson (c.1760 - 1833) from his workshop on this ...
Ship-repairer and philanthropist. Born in Glasgow. After serving his apprenticeship in shipbuilding, he came to London to ply his trade. He was deacon of St Mark's Presbyterian Church in Greenwich,...
Abele Giandolini, "Monsieur Abel", opened The Ivy as a cafe on this site in 1917. On-line information about Giandolini is hard to come by. Bonhams sold an Epstein head, "Third Portrait of Jackie (...
From the V&A website: "The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations was held in the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London. It was the first international exhibition of manufacture...
Businessman. Developed the McDonald's hamburger brand.