BIKES

Would you want a penny or a farthing for your trouble?  Hint: in old English currency, a farthing was 1/4 of a penny.  Keep that definition in mind!

The first vehicle to be called a bicycle was called in England the "penny-farthing."  The front wheel, just like a penny to a farthing, was about four times larger than the rear wheel.  This type of vehicle originated in France.

The bike was direct drive - no chain or gears, the pedals turned the front wheel.  You could get it going pretty fast but the ride was shocking and dangerous.  Improved models sported a built on ladder to get onto the seat and wheel spokes that acted as shock absorbers. 

This fad lasted only a few years, say 1869 to 1889.  In 1885, Englishman J.K. Starley invented the 'Rover safety bicycle' with chain drive geared to the rear wheel and in 1888, Scottish inventor, John Dunlop, invented the pneumatic tire.   Starley called his model a "safety" bike because so many people had been hurt falling off of the "high-wheeler" types. 

The Penny-Farthing was soon obsolete.  I'd love to try one sometime.