The history of the bicycle (or “cycle”) dates back several centuries, with key developments that led to the modern version we use today. The first precursor to the modern bicycle was the laufmaschine (running machine) or dandy horse, invented by Baron Karl von Drais in 1817. It was a two-wheeled vehicle propelled by the rider pushing off the ground with their feet, without pedals.
In the early 1830s, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a Scottish blacksmith, is credited with adding pedals to the front wheel, creating the first pedal-powered bicycle.Around the same time, Pierre Michaux, a French inventor, created the velocipede (often called the “boneshaker”), which had pedals directly attached to the front wheel.The high-wheeled penny-farthing (or ordinary), which had a large front wheel and a small rear wheel, became popular in the 1870s. However, it was difficult to ride and dangerous.In 1885, John Kemp Starley introduced the safety bicycle, which had two wheels of equal size, a chain-driven rear wheel, and a lower center of gravity, making it safer and more practical for everyday use.The 1890s saw further improvements, including the introduction of pneumatic tires (invented by John Boyd Dunlop in 1887), which made cycling much smoother and more comfortable. The development of gears, better brakes, and steel frames contributed to the rise of the bicycle as a popular mode of transportation.
Bicycles became more affordable and widely available in the early 20th century, becoming a key mode of transport and recreation. The mountain bike emerged in the 1970s with designs tailored for off-road cycling, while the road bike continued to evolve with lighter materials and advanced gears.
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