雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. While many people think the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, its earliest form actually appeared in the 18th century. In 1817, a German inventor created a wooden, two-wheeled device called the 'running machine'. However, it wasn't until the 1860s that pedals were added, making it more practical. By the late 1880s, the modern safety bicycle, with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive, became popular. This design greatly increased the bicycle's popularity, especially among women, as it was safer and easier to ride than earlier high-wheel versions.