Today's lecture is about the history of the bicycle. The first bicycle, invented in the early 19th century, had no pedals and was pushed along by the rider's feet. Later, the penny-farthing, with its large front wheel, became popular but was dangerous due to its height. The modern safety bicycle, introduced in the 1880s, featured two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive, making it much safer and more practical for everyday use. This design quickly spread across Europe and eventually led to the cycling craze of the 1890s.