Good morning. Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. The first two-wheeled vehicle was invented in 1817 by a German baron, Karl von Drais. It was called a 'running machine' because riders pushed their feet against the ground. However, it wasn't until the 1860s that pedals were added, in France. By the 1880s, the 'safety bicycle' emerged, with equal-sized wheels and a chain drive. Interestingly, the popularity of bicycles led to improvements in road surfaces and even influenced women's fashion, as women began wearing more practical clothing for cycling. So, while the basic design has changed little since then, the social impact was huge.