In today's lecture, we'll discuss the history of the bicycle. The first two-wheeled vehicle, called the draisine, was invented in 1817 by Karl von Drais. It had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground. In the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel, creating the velocipede, also known as the boneshaker due to its rough ride. The high-wheel bicycle, or penny-farthing, became popular in the 1870s, but it was dangerous because riders sat high above the ground. Finally, in 1885, John Kemp Starley introduced the safety bicycle, which had a chain drive and two equal-sized wheels, making it much safer and more practical.
❓ ¿Cuál era el principal problema de la bicicleta de rueda alta?
A. No tenía pedales, así que los ciclistas tenían que impulsarse con los pies.
B. Era demasiado pesado y difícil de maniobrar.
C. Los jinetes se sentaban demasiado alto y corrían riesgo de caerse.