When was the velocipede invented

The design continued to develop with the invention of the famous Penny-farthing, which was faster and easier to steer, but difficult to climb onto and balance. The seats were nearer the ground, the driving wheel was now at the back and turned by chains linked to pedals, and both wheels were the same size. Hollow rubber tyres, inflated by air, were fitted on a lighter, wire-spoked wheel.

Later, gears made pedalling easier to get up hills and metal frames became lighter. Faster than walking and cheaper and easier to maintain than horses, the advent of the bicycle sparked a revolution in personal transport and independence. As they grew in popularity, bicycles led to new and improved roads, became a focus for social activity and made it possible for people to commute to work from outside of cities.

They also offered unprecedented freedom for women to travel without relying on men. Today, bicycles remain an affordable and effective means of transport all over the world, particularly in developing countries where they provide essential access to school and work, health and social services, family and friends. The most popular velocipede design of that time was two wheeled penny-farthing , which featured very big front wheel and small rear wheel.

Penny-farthing was not popular for large period of time, but during height of its use it became a synonym of a late Victorian era and origin point of a cycling as a popular pastime and a sport. Success of penny-farthing and French boneshaker had more lasting influence on the history of the bicycle.

A German baron named Karl von Drais made the first major development when he created a steerable, two-wheeled contraption in But the bicycle as we know it today evolved in the 19th century thanks to the work of several different inventors. Beginning in the s, several different French inventors including Pierre Lallement, Pierre Michaux and Ernest Michaux developed prototypes with pedals attached to the front wheel.

The Hobby Horse was invented by Karl Von Drais in and was operated by kicking against the street. Since the pedals and axles were connected to the front wheel, the bigger the wheel, the faster it could go. Michaux is seen as the forerunner of the bicycle.

In the s, the velocipede had become a tall bicycle. James Starley , an English inventor, produced the first machine with almost all the characteristics of the high wheel bicycle, although, it lacked stability in the wheel.

In , John Dunlop developed tires that were filled with air to cushion most shocks. The driving levers and pedals were the main parts that were added to the velocipede.

These innovations allowed people to propel the machine with their feet without having to touch the ground.