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Jun 19, 1418
First Vehicle
Giovanni Fontana built the first human powered land vehicle which had four wheels and used an endless rope connected via gears to the wheels. -
Period: Jun 20, 1418 to
The start till the end
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Draisienne or the "Running Machine"
This tow-wheeler was invented by Barn Karl von Drais, Germany. This machine was less like a bicycle, in the modern sense of the word. It had a typical bicycle frame and two wheels and it did't have any peddals , but it was propelled by walking (apparently the bicycle allowed more of a gliding walk), as opposed to peddling. -
Velocipede or Boneshaker
Pierre Lallament, a French mechanic invented the Velocipede. This two-wheeled bicycle had first pedals and cranks on the front wheel. It was known as the bone shaker because the combination of a wood frame and metal tires made for a very uncomfortable ride over cobblestone streets. -
The High Wheel Bicycle
One of the first models to be called a "bicycle" (after its two wheels). The high wheel allowed the rider to travel farther with a single rotation of the pedals. Moreover, a metal frame and rubber tires provided a more comfortable ride than the boneshaker. -
The High Wheel Safety
Improvements to High wheeler Bicycle begun by many designs with the small wheel in the front to eliminate the tipping-forward problem. One model promoted its manufacturer by being ridden down the front steps of the capitol building in Washington, DC. These designs became known as high-wheel safety bicycles. As the older high-wheel designs had been known simply as bicycles, they were now referred to as "ordinary bicycles" in comparison with the new-fangled designs, and then simply as "ordinaries. -
Hard Tired Saftey Bike
The further improvement of metallurgy sparked the next innovation. It had the metal that was now strong enough to make a fine chain and sprocket small and light enough for a human being to power. The next design was a return to the original configuration of two same-size wheels, only now, instead of just one wheel circumference for every pedal turn, you could, through the gear ratios, have a speed the same as the huge high-wheel. The bicycles still had the hard rub -
Pnuematic Tired Saftey Bicycle
1888 was the year that the lack of comfort ended. An Irish veterinarian named Dunlop created the pnuematic tires (blow up tires). This improved saftey and comfort. Then maufacturing improved so it became cheaper to buy because it was cheaper to make. -
The Kid's Bike
Introduced after the First World War by several manufacturers, such as Mead, Sears Roebuck, and Montgomery Ward, to revitalize the bike industry . These designs, now called "classic", featured automobile and motorcyle elements to appeal to kids who would rather have a motorbike. These bikes evolved into the most glamorous, fabulous, ostentatious, heavy designs ever. -
Racing Bikes
Racing bicycles become popular and feature dropped handlebars, narrow tires, numerous speeds and a lighter frame. This was the starting of the new bike development and led to many bicycle sports like racing. -
Mountain Bikes
Spurred by mountain biking and extreme sports, mountain bicycles become a popular consumer item and feature sturdier frames, larger wheels and flat handlebars. These disigns were know now mostly used to make the bikes we ride today.
