Until recently, historians argued that the first bicycle was invented by Ernest Michaud in 1861. In fact, a bicycle-like vehicle was invented even earlier.
Controversial points of view
The invention of the first bicycle was attributed to the French Pierre and Ernest Michaud, who also built carriages. Indeed, this two-person team created the first pedal bike. But there is evidence that the invention is much older.
It is incorrect to believe that the first bicycle was invented by Leonardo Da Vinci. That he supposedly drew a model of a bicycle in 1490 is nothing more than speculation.
Scooter bike
The early predecessor of the modern bicycle was the scooter bicycle, invented in 1790. Its creator is the French Count Med De Sivrac. He had no steering wheel or pedals, but the scooter was somewhat similar to the familiar two-wheeled friend. This invention had a seat and four wheels. To accelerate, the rider used his feet, pushing off the ground. When the required speed was gained, it was possible to rest and go by inertia.
Running car
German Baron Karl Dreis von Sauerbronn invented a more advanced version of the scooter bike. The new model had a steering wheel but no pedals. The "running machine", as the inventor called it, was made of wood. For the car to move, you had to push off the ground with your feet. Dreis's vehicle was shown at an exhibition in Paris on April 6, 1818.
New name
Drais's "running car" was soon renamed bicycle, which means "fast feet" in Latin. The new name was invented by the French inventor and photographer Nicefort Nieps. So in the 19th century, they began to call any vehicle that looks like a bicycle.
Bicycle with pedals
In 1839, Scottish inventor Kirk Patrick Macmillan developed a system of levers and pedals for bicycles. Thanks to this system, the rider could ride the bike without touching the ground with his feet. But historians debate whether Macmillan was actually the originator of the idea. According to one of the historical versions, none of this happened. British writers invented the whole story for propaganda and to discredit the invention of the French.
The first popular bicycle model, which also began to appear on the market and in great demand, was created by the farrier Ernest Michaud in 1863. This lightest and most elegant version of the day featured pedals attached to the front wheel.
In 1868 Ernest Michaud founded the world's first bicycle company.
But the version of the bicycle, proposed by the British engineer James Starley in 1871, became really effective. This vehicle had a small rear wheel and a large front wheel, and the wheel frames were covered with rubber tires.
