雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning, everyone. Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Now, many people assume the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, and that's partially true. The first two-wheeled, pedal-less machine, called a hobby horse, appeared in 1817 in Germany. But the first machine with pedals attached to the front wheel was developed in Scotland in 1839 by a blacksmith. However, it wasn't until the 1880s that the chain-driven bicycle, similar to what we use today, became popular, thanks to improvements in safety and comfort. So, although the basic concept is old, the modern design is relatively recent.