Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Although many people associate the invention with the 19th century, early prototypes date back to the 18th century. The first two-wheeled vehicle, called the 'velocipede', was invented in 1817 by Karl von Drais. However, it had no pedals; riders pushed their feet against the ground. It wasn't until the 1860s that pedals were added to the front wheel, creating the 'boneshaker'. Interestingly, the modern chain-driven bicycle with equal-sized wheels appeared only in 1885, thanks to John Kemp Starley. This design became known as the 'safety bicycle' because it was much easier to ride than its predecessors.