Amongst all devices invented by humans, the bicycle is perhaps the most popular and resilient and powerful one. Its history is many centuries long. From simple wooden apparatus, the evolution of a bicycle reached a modern-day high-tech design of a bike. It can be seen as a tribute to the creativity of man as well as a quest for a better and quicker mode of travel. But when was the bike invented and why did people come up with such an incredible idea? The question is very interesting and draws attention to the history of the bike.
The Origins: Who Was the First Person to Create a Bicycle?
The recorded history of the bicycle is more than a century. While many people contributed to its evolution, the first practical bicycle design can be attributed to a German Karl Von Drais. In 1817, he came up with the โDraisineโ or Draisine which is regarded by people as the first bicycle ever made. This instrument, or what some would call a “walking machine,” is operated by the feet pushing against the floor. The device is also known as a โwalking machineโ and requires the user to propel their feet against the ground in order to push it forward.
Karl von Drais disembarked the Draisine for no scholarly pursuits. The prevalence of the horses in transport was affected by the reported climatic โvolcanic winterโ that followed the eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815. Drais wished to design a device that would be ridable without the use of horses, and would be powered by its users, which is why he came to be called a bicycle maker in the annals of history.
The History and Development of the Bicycle
Bicycles have all come a long way since the first Draisine, which was a simple two-wheeled contraption. Many concepts were incorporated into the construction of the rim we use today:
Velocipede (Boneshaker): As time elapsed into the 1860s, the foremost wheel was fitted with pedals, thus bringing about the first pedagogically structured bicycles. Shaking bones is what they came to be called due to the dreadful cobbled streets they were used on.
Ordinary Bike or Penny-Farthing: A decade or two later, in the 1870s, the evolution of bicycles advanced that encouraged a large front wheel and a smaller rear wheel. The focus of this design was on achieving speed, however, it was very dangerous and as a result, a lot of people got into accidents.
The Safety Bicycle: Breath-taking innovation in the design of bicycles took place at this period. The design featured two wheels of the same size, a chain drive to the rear wheel and wheel brakes. It was very much safer and more practical than the previous types of bicycles. This development led to the invention of the modern bicycle.
Why Was the Bicycle Invented?
From the very first sight, the bicycle was built for a purpose, to create the most basic means of transportation which is powered by human effort. Nonetheless, there was a rapid growth in its scope of applicability:
Means of transport: It was an inexpensive yet effective way of travelling for all classes of people.
Recreational pursuit: With the advance in the use of bicycles, it became a sporting activity as well.
Freedom: As much as there were many inventions that liberated women in the late 1890s and the early 1900s, the bicycle found itself at the forefront of this liberation movement.
The Legacy of the Bicycle
Presently, the contemporary bicycle denotes sustainability, physical exercise and outdoor activities. The transformation of the bicycle from simple Draisine models to well-designed electrically powered bicycles is a clear demonstration of creativity and flexibility. Its history- from being a product of transport to an item of social transformation- for what purpose is it still relevant today?
Conclusion: An Invention for the Ages
The growth of cycles, right from the tricycle invented by Karl von Drais to the present safety bicycle, is a story of manโs ingenuity. As we look into the future and ride forward, the โhumbleโ, efficient and versatile bicycle remains an example to all of us.
So, the next time you ride your bike, just be aware of the amazing history that it has had to go through. After all, this unobtrusive piece of machinery has revolutionised transport, labour and recreation.
