Originally called a "dandy horse", the Victorian bicycle with it's stereotypical huge front wheel and tiny back one was invented in 1814 by the German-born Baron Karl von Drais. His idea was to have a vehicle that could be pedaled at the front wheel in a forward motion with the feet, with a front wheel that pivoted and a handlebar for steering. The Baron introduced it to England, where it became “the thing to have”of the day! It came to the United States by 1819, but interest in it almost died until until 1840, when someone decided to put cranks on the rear wheel axle, which connected it to the pedals by driving rods. It was a hit!
The first bicycles were made almost entirely of wood, until a Frenchman, Lallement, replaced the wooden wheels with iron in 1865. This was the first real "bicycle", although because it was almost always ridden on cobblestone it was also called a "boneshaker". Later designs had rubber wheels with a higher front wheel for a smoother ride.
The following is a quote from here: http://victorianbazaar.com/bicycles.html
"By 1870, ingenious high wheel models, such as the first all metal bicycle appeared with solid rubber tires and long spokes. One of the bicycles of that period was called “the Ordinary”. Gradually, its front wheel was enlarged for a smoother ride,
and the rear wheel reduced for speed. It eventually had a 40-48 inch front wheel for farther travel and a 16-inch rear wheel! One high wheeler even had a front wheel of 64 inches! The phrase, “taking a header” was coined when the rider was stumbled by a sudden necessity to stop, and fell forward to the ground landing on his head! But this risk didn’t stop anyone! Even the women in their long dresses and tight corsets wanted to “get in on the fun”. They were riding around on another invention, the high wheel adult tricycle! This mechanical version also became popular with the more dignified gents who were doctors and clergymen.
By the 1880’s, the “two wheeler” (bicycle) was tremendously popular, especially with the younger men who had the money to pay for it. A bicycle could cost as much as $150 (about six month’s pay) at that time.
Blanche
http://www.victoriana.com/directory/bikes.html
http://victorianbazaar.com/bicycles.html
http://antiques.lovetoknow.com/Victorian_Bicycles
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