Humber Cycles: Introduction
In his book "The Story of the Bicycle" (Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1970), John Woodforde (p.53) says it was racing that affected bicycle design, just as a bit later it would affect the design of motor cars.
To go faster, bicycle racers required lighter machines, and Thomas Humber was one of the first manufacturers to attempt to lighten the constrction of bicycles.
Woodruffe also attributes the first tandem bicycle to Humber (p.65) where he says "the Beeston Humber tandem Safety of 1885, was in fact the first tandem bicycle" The riders were positioned one behind the other