In today's lecture, we'll discuss the history of the bicycle. The first two-wheeled vehicle, called the draisine, was invented in Germany in 1817. It had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground to move. Later, in the 1860s, French inventors added pedals to the front wheel, creating the velocipede. However, this design was uncomfortable due to its rigid frame and wooden wheels. It wasn't until the 1880s that the modern safety bicycle, with a chain drive and equal-sized wheels, became popular, making cycling safer and more accessible for everyone.
❓ What was a key problem with the velocipede, according to the lecture?
A. It was too heavy to ride uphill.
B. It had no brakes.
C. Its frame was rigid and wheels were wooden, causing discomfort.
D. It was too expensive for most people.
✅ 正确答案
Its frame was rigid and wheels were wooden, causing discomfort.