Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Although many people think the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, early prototypes appeared as far back as the 15th century. However, the first practical pedal-driven bicycle was developed in 1839 by a Scottish blacksmith named Kirkpatrick Macmillan. His design had pedals attached to the front wheel, which made it difficult to steer. Later, in 1885, John Kemp Starley introduced the 'safety bicycle' with a chain drive and two equal-sized wheels, which became the basis for modern bikes. So, the key improvement in Starley's design was the use of a chain to drive the rear wheel, making riding much safer and more efficient.
❓ 根据讲座内容，约翰·肯普·斯塔利1885年自行车设计的主要优势是什么？
A. A) 它在前轮上安装了踏板，以便更好地控制。
B. B) 它采用链条传动驱动后轮，提升了安全性与效率。
C. C) 这是有史以来发明的第一辆自行车，可追溯至15世纪。
D. D) 它比之前所有型号都更轻便、更便宜。
✅ 正确答案
B) It used a chain drive to power the rear wheel, improving safety and efficiency.