© Getty Images

Origins of the sidecar -

The sidecar appeared as early as 1893 when a French army officer named Jean Bertoux invented a method of carrying a passenger on a bicycle. He attached a sidecar wheel to the bicycle frame and mounted a seat with a backrest across a supporting footboard.

© Getty Images

First patents issued -

The first motorcycle sidecar patents were issued in 1903 in England. One of Britain's oldest sidecar manufacturers, Watsonian, was founded in 1912.

© Getty Images

Sidecars on Harley-Davidson frames -

Meanwhile in the United State, sidecar mountings began to show up on Harley-Davidson frames as early as 1905.

© Getty Images

Advancing sidecar design -

Advances in sidecar technology were made in 1913 by American inventor Hugo Young. He proposed a far more flexible joining of the car to the motorcycle frame, thus allowing for more maneuverability without affecting balance. Young went on to found the Flxible Sidecar Company (the first "e" was dropped to allow for trademarking the name), soon the largest sidecar manufacturer in the world.

© Getty Images

One passenger only -

The sidecar was always designed to be a one passenger vehicle with a small trunk compartment in the back.

© Getty Images

The sidecar is sidelined -

The popularity of the motorcycle and sidecar diminished somewhat during the 1920s, as affordable motorcars became more widely available.

© Getty Images

A utilitarian vehicle -

However, the sidecar still had its uses and became more of a utilitarian vehicle. For example, it was adapted to deliver milk.

© Getty Images

Use in law enforcement -

Police forces around the world utilized custom-built sidecars to carry more than one passenger for use in emergency callouts. Here, the Berlin transport police are on standby to respond in numbers.

© Getty Images

The side-cell -

In the United States, traffic police used special side-cells to detain offending motorists while issuing citations or in case the accused needed to be taken straight to jail.

© Getty Images

Armed response vehicle -

And American law enforcement found another use for the sidecar, as a speedy and highly maneuverable armed response vehicle.

© Getty Images

Canine patrol -

Meanwhile back in Germany, police dogs were being given a paw up by being driven by their handlers along streets while on patrol.

© Getty Images

Sidecar ambulances -

Motorcycle ambulances were a familiar sight on British roads during the first two decades of the 20th century. The pair pictured here are being operated by the St John Ambulance Brigade.

© Getty Images

Sidecars in wartime -

During the First World War, the British Army took full advantage of the sidecar, finding it ideal to transport heavy Vickers machine guns.

© Getty Images

Use as a stretcher bearer -

The Great War also saw sidecars adapted to perform the task of stretcher bearers. This enabled the swift evacuation of wounded combatants from the front line.

© Getty Images

A carrier of pigeons -

In the other direction, sidecars were used to transport wicker baskets full of carrier pigeons to the trenches. The birds were used to send messages when radio use was impossible.

© Getty Images

Wheels of the Wehrmacht -

The sidecar wasn't used as much by the Allies in the Second World War. However, it still found favor with the Wehrmacht. In fact, dedicated sidecar detachments were created by the Germans for their ability to tackle difficult terrain.

© Getty Images

The sidecar in sport -

After the war, the sidecar fell out of fashion with many consumers. But the machines had already been repurposed for another application: sport!

© Getty Images

FIM Sidecar World Championship -

Sidecar racing had became popular in the 1930s and attracted a loyal following. In 1949, the FIM Sidecar World Championship was established.

© Getty Images

Racing the sidecar -

Sidecar races were held regularly across Europe, such as this one photographed at Brands Hatch in England.

© Getty Images

The rise of Superside -

Between 1981 and 2016, Superside machines were known as Formula One sidecars using a basic unchanged design.

© Getty Images

Race classes -

In sidecar racing, there are three different types of race class: Match Race, Sprint Race, and Gold Race.

© Getty Images

Novel uses for sidecars -

Novel uses for sidecars extend to departed Harley-Davidson motorcycle fans opting to start their final journey in a coffin or urn as part of a funeral on three wheels.

© Getty Images

Santa's sidecar -

The annual Berlin Christmas Bike Tour usually includes at least one Santa delivering gifts using a sidecar.

© Getty Images

Sidecars in movies -

Sidecars have featured in a number of feature films. Here, Cary Grant has fun being ferried around in a sidecar by Ann Sheridan as they make the screwball comedy movie 'I Was a Male War Bride,' which was released in 1949.

© Getty Images

Fun off set -

Between takes on the 1963 film 'The Great Escape,' Steve McQueen took a sidecar out for a spin with co-stars James Garner and James Coburn coming along for the ride.

© Getty Images

Sidecar celebrities -

A sidecar features in the 1989 movie 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,' with Sean Connery's character happy to sit back and let Indy do all the driving.

© Getty Images

Sidecar tourism -

Since the early 1950s, the sidecar has proven a handy way for tourists to explore their surroundings. In fact, the machines opened up a whole new tourism segment.

© Getty Images

Glamorous appeal -

The advent of sidecar tourism allowed motorcycle manufacturers to advertise their machines in a glamorous and appealing fashion.

© Getty Images

Taking a tour on three wheels -

Today, you'll often see vintage sidecars being used as scenic tour vehicles.

Sources: (Classic Racer) (Rider Magazine)

See also: Memorable movies starring motorbikes

© Shutterstock