In today's lecture, we'll discuss the history of the bicycle. The first bicycle, invented in the early 19th century, had no pedals; riders pushed their feet along the ground. Later, the penny-farthing, with its large front wheel, became popular in the 1870s, but it was dangerous due to its height. The safety bicycle, introduced in 1885, featured equal-sized wheels and a chain drive, making it much more stable. This design quickly replaced the penny-farthing and is the basis for modern bicycles. Interestingly, the pneumatic tire, invented in 1888, was originally developed for bicycles, not cars, which greatly improved comfort and speed.
❓ What was the main advantage of the safety bicycle over the penny-farthing?
A. A. It was lighter and easier to carry.
B. B. It had a chain drive and equal-sized wheels, making it more stable.
C. C. It was the first bicycle to have pedals.
D. D. It was cheaper to manufacture than earlier models.
✅ 正确答案
B. It had a chain drive and equal-sized wheels, making it more stable.