Today, we're discussing the history of the bicycle. While many people think of the penny-farthing as an early design, it was actually the 'safety bicycle' in the 1880s that made cycling popular. The key innovation was the chain drive, which allowed the pedals to turn the rear wheel, enabling smaller front wheels and a lower seat. This made the bicycle much safer, especially for women, who could now ride in long skirts. Interestingly, the pneumatic tire, invented by John Boyd Dunlop in 1888, was originally developed to make his son's tricycle more comfortable, not for racing. However, it quickly improved speed and comfort on rough roads.