Illustration: A Boneshaker and a Penny-Farthing
The bicycle first become known as a means of transport when the 'hobby horse' was shown at the exhibition at an exhibition in Paris in 1818- It was a wooden frame with two wooden wheels and no pedals, and the rider pushed himself along with the with his feet on the ground.
It was in 1839that the first real bicycle came into being. A Scottish blacksmith fitted his hobby-horse with pedals, rather like stirrups. He rode it, for many years and was once prosecuted for furious riding.
The next important development was the French Velocipede. It had the front wheel slightly larger than the back one, with pedals pn the front hub. It could not have been very comfortable because it was called a 'Boneshaker'; but it was very popular, especially in Britain.
After the Boneshaker came the 'Penny-Farthing', so called because the front wheel was much larger than the back. An important feature was the use of steel wheels instead of wood, and solid rubber tyres.
The modern bicycle began with the 'Safety' bicycle, which had pedals and chain as now. The first of this type was made in France, but the best early model was Lawson's of 1873. When the safety bicycle was given pneumatic tyres, ball-bearings, a free-wheel, and better brakes, it became the bicycle we ride to-day.
Material taken from: A Ladybird 'Achievements' Book, Publishers: Wills & Hepworth Ltd, Loughborough, First published 1961. Printed in England.