The Dawn of the Bicycle

Hundreds of millions of people ride bicycles worldwide, whether for their daily commute to work or leisure, without wondering where it came from. The bike is a relatively recent human invention, emerging in the 19th century, not long before the invention of cars. Its development was prompted by a shortage of the most common form of transport at the time, the horse.

In 1815, a significant eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia caused a volcanic winter over the next year, leading to a drop in world temperatures. This resulted in harvesting problems, making it much harder to feed and maintain horses and reducing their population. In response, a German Baron named Karl von Drais created a solution to the mobility issue by inventing the Laufmaschine, the first means of transport to use the two-wheeler principle.

His invention consisted of a wooden frame with two wheels aligned in a row, a steerable front wheel, and a padded seat. Riders propelled themselves by pushing their feet against the ground, creating a gliding motion considerably faster than walking. The Laufmaschine was profoundly significant because it introduced the concept of balancing on two wheels in motion, a fundamental principle for all future bicycle designs.

The Laufmaschine was the precursor to the velocipede and, later, the modern bicycle. It evolved by adding pedals, pneumatic tires, and gears until it became the powerful commute vehicle we know today. It is an incredible example of how scarcity can drive humans to innovate and create new inventions.

Craving more? Check out the source behind this Brain Snack!