The Olivier brothers, Aimé, René, and Marius, were among the first people responsible for recognizing the commercial potential of the bicycle.
The Olivier family was wealthy, owning multiple chemical plants in France.
In 1868, the Oliviers formed a partnership with Pierre Michaux to mass-produce bicycles.
[1] All through one of the first bicycle crazes, from 1867 to 1869, it was René Olivier who led both the Michaux company and the industry as a whole.
The bicycle's popularity continuing only in England, it was inventors and manufacturers there who contributed the next series of improvements to its development.