Good morning, everyone. Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Now, many people assume that the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, but in fact, the first two-wheeled vehicle, called a 'draisine', appeared in 1817. It was made of wood and had no pedals; the rider pushed their feet against the ground to move. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel, creating the 'velocipede'. However, it was not until the 1880s that the chain drive and pneumatic tires were introduced, making bicycles much safer and more comfortable. This led to a boom in cycling popularity, especially among women, as it offered them a new sense of freedom.