3min chapter

Patented: History of Inventions cover image

The Bicycle with Tim Harford

Patented: History of Inventions

CHAPTER

The Safety Bicycle, Not the Penny Farthing

The penny farthing was a huge factor in the emancipation of women. But i think it was the safety bicycle, rather than the penny farthing, that really opened it up to the masses. What defines the safety bicycle good? It's much more like the shape of the original velociped where your feet can touch the ground and you can travel at a reasonable speed by peddling. So not a light hearted, unyielding planet. Simpler times, you see, worry about safety and this kind of thing. Have you ever been on a penny farthing? They are absolutely lethal, for exactly the reason you've just read out. I've a friend who races penny far

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