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The Walking Machine
In 1817 Baron von Drais invented a walking machine that would help him get around the royal gardens faster, the front one steerable, mounted in a frame which you sat on. -
The Velocipede or Boneshaker
The next appearance of a two-wheeled riding machine was in 1865,when pedals were applied directly to the front wheel. This machine was known as the velocipede ("fast foot"), but was popularly known as the bone shaker, since it was also made entirely of wood, then later with metal tires, and the combination of these with the cobblestone roads of the day made for an extremely uncomfortable ride. -
The High Wheel Bicycle
In 1870 the first all metal machine appeared. The pedals were still atttached directly to the front wheel with no freewheeling system of parts. Solid rubber tires and the long spokes of the large front wheel provided a much smoother ride than its predecessor. -
The High Wheel Tricycle
While the men were risking their necks on the high wheels, ladies, confined to their long skirts and corsets, could take a spin around the park on an adult tricycle. -
The High Wheel Safety
Improvements to the design began to be seen, many with the small wheel in the front to stop the tipping-forward problem.These designs became known as high-wheel safety bicycles. -
The Hard Tired Safety
The further improvement of metal sparked the next innovation, or rather return to previous design. With 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 arangment of arts of two same-size wheels. -
The Pnuematic-Tired Safety
The tire which was operated by air was first applied to the bicycle by an Irish veterinarian who was trying to give his young son a more comfortable ride on his tricycle. This inventive young doctor's name was Dunlop. Now that comfort and safety could be had in the same package, and that package was getting cheaper as people creating methods improved, everyone clamored to ride the bicycle. -
The Kids Bike
Introduced just after the First World War by several people or companys, such as Mead, Sears Roebuck, and Montgomery Ward. these designs now called "classic", featured automobile and motorcyle elements to appeal to kids who, presumably, would rather have a motor. If ever a bike needed a motor, this was it.
