Velocipede (Laufmaschine, draisine)

What it is

A two-wheeled, in-line vehicle propelled by pushing off the ground with the feet, the first steerable two-wheeled vehicle. It emerged after the fodder crisis of the 'Year Without a Summer' (1816), which killed horses.

First documented ride on 12 June 1817, from Mannheim to Schwetzingen; Baden patent in 1818.

What it led to

• The pedal bicycle
• The concept of dynamic balance on two wheels
• Individual mobility without animals

Built on

• Steerable carriage
• Iron-spoked wheel

Made possible

• Pedal bicycle (Michaux velocipede)1861-1867
• Motorcycle1885

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