Good morning, class. Today we're discussing the history of the bicycle. While many people credit the 19th-century inventors with its creation, the first two-wheeled vehicle, called the draisine, appeared in 1817 in Germany. It had no pedals; riders pushed their feet along the ground. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel in France, leading to the 'velocipede.' However, it wasn't until the 1880s that the chain-driven rear wheel design, similar to modern bicycles, became popular. This innovation greatly improved safety and efficiency.
❓ What was the key improvement of bicycles in the 1880s?