Today's lecture is about the history of the bicycle. The first bicycle, called the 'velocipede', appeared in the early 19th century. It had no pedals, and riders pushed themselves along with their feet. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel, making it faster but difficult to balance. By the 1880s, the 'safety bicycle' was introduced, with two wheels of equal size and a chain drive. This design became popular because it was much safer and easier to ride. Interestingly, the safety bicycle also influenced women's fashion, as it led to more practical clothing for cycling.