Good morning, everyone. Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Although many people believe the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, its earliest form, a two-wheeled device without pedals, appeared in Germany in 1817. This was called the 'draisine' or 'running machine'. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added in France, leading to the 'velocipede'. However, it wasn't until the 1880s that the chain drive and pneumatic tires made bicycles safer and more comfortable. These improvements led to a cycling boom in the 1890s, especially among women, who found bicycles gave them new freedom.