The
bicycle was invented in the mid 1800's the first bikes
had pedals attached directy to the front wheel axle.
To make these primitive bikes more efficient engineers
made the radius of the front wheel larger which meant
that they would travel a farther distance per each
rotation of the pedal.
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/92508479/
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/92508479/
In the late 1800's the first bike
with chain drives and gears were introduced. This
advancement turned what was an extreme sport into
an efficient and safe way of travel (even for
women!). Th first models of these "safety bikes"
are the first prototypes of our modern day
bicycles.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_bicycle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_bicycle