雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Today's lecture is about the history of the bicycle. While many people assume the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, its origins actually trace back to a German inventor named Karl von Drais, who created a two-wheeled running machine in 1817. This early device had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground to move forward. Later, in the 1860s, pedals were added to the front wheel in France, leading to the high-wheeled 'penny-farthing' design. However, this was unsafe because riders sat very high. The modern safety bicycle, with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive, emerged in the 1880s and became popular due to its stability and comfort.