Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Although many people think of the bicycle as a relatively modern invention, its origins date back to the early 19th century. The first two-wheeled device, called a 'velocipede', was invented in Germany in 1817. However, it had no pedals; riders pushed their feet along the ground. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel, creating the 'boneshaker'. The design improved over time, and by the late 1880s, the 'safety bicycle' with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive became popular. This design is essentially what we use today.