Good morning, everyone. Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Now, many people think the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, but in fact, early versions appeared as far back as the 18th century. However, it wasn't until the 1880s that the safety bicycle, with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive, became popular. This design was much safer than the earlier penny-farthing, which had a huge front wheel. Interestingly, the safety bicycle also led to a significant increase in women's mobility, as it allowed them to travel independently without needing a horse or carriage. By the early 20th century, bicycles had become a common means of transport in many European cities.