"... The first known bicyclist was the Comte de Sivrac, who was seen riding a two-wheel 'wooden horse' in Paris in 1791, the Smithsonian reports. Among its many drawbacks was that it was impossible to steer.

On had to lift, drag or jump the front wheel to change direction.

Baron von Drais or Sauerbrun, chief forester to the Grand Duke of Baden, solved that problem in 1817 - and added a padded saddle, too. He took his design to Paris where it became known as the velocipede..."


Waukesha Daily Freeman
Waukesha, Wisconsin
May 26, 1977

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