Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Although many people assume the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, early versions appeared much earlier. In 1817, a German inventor created a wooden, two-wheeled device called the 'Draisine,' which had no pedals. Riders pushed their feet against the ground to move forward. Later, in the 1860s, French inventors added pedals to the front wheel, leading to the 'velocipede.' However, it wasn't until the 1880s that the modern chain-driven bicycle with equal-sized wheels became popular, thanks to improvements in safety and comfort.
❓ What was a key feature of the Draisine, the early bicycle mentioned in the lecture?
A. A. It had pedals attached to the front wheel.
B. B. It was made entirely of metal.
C. C. It was powered by pushing feet on the ground.