The Wasp — 1890 — page 65: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts cyclists encountering bulls as obstacles. The title suggests a play on the phrase "necessity is the mother of invention"—presenting dangerous situations as opportunities for ingenuity. The humor likely mocks the bicycle craze of the late 19th century and riders' determination to navigate any circumstance. The repeated scenarios show cyclists balancing, jumping, or performing acrobatics to avoid charging bulls, treating the animal as merely another hurdle. The satire may comment on either the recklessness of cyclists or their resourcefulness. Without additional context from *The Wasp* (publication date unclear), the exact target—whether cyclists themselves, the fad's dangers, or contemporary attitudes toward obstacles—remains somewhat ambiguous, though the visual comedy is straightforward.