205 years ago today..

[user 35233]

June 12th 1817 Baron Karl von Drais took his build for it’s inaugural run.
The Laufmaschine, later dubbed the DandyHorse or DandyHobbie, clocked in at 8.5 miles an hour. Complete with adjustable banana.

 

[AndyA]

Professor High:
Thanks for posting. Note that the invention was also called a "draisine" in honor of Karl. That name came to be used for railroad handcars, as well. Have fun!

 

[Brian macumber]

Foot powered?

 

[rickpaulos]

Yes, the original strider or balance bike.

Pedals were added directly to the front wheel by the Frenchman Michaux in the 1860s

 

[SwissGuy]

Check out this site on Google Arts and Culture:
https://artsandculture.google.com/story/mwXRBYATtgPOLg
I'm using it (and others) right now to teach my students about the history of mobility...
Did you know that the electric bike was patented at the 28th of april 1869 by the frenchman Joseph Marié?

 

[BDC]

Reports are that the brakes were a bit woody.