Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Now, you might think the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, but its earliest form actually appeared in the late 18th century. In 1817, a German inventor named Karl von Drais created a wooden, two-wheeled machine called the 'running machine' or 'draisine'. It had no pedals; riders pushed themselves along with their feet. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel in France. This design, known as the 'boneshaker', was uncomfortable due to its rigid frame. The major breakthrough came in 1885 with the 'safety bicycle', which featured a chain drive and equal-sized wheels, making it much safer and more practical.