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The First Plans
Giovanni Fontana developed an idea for a four-wheeled bike that would be operated using a rope attached to gears on the wheels -
No Handlebars or Pedals
Comte Mede de Sivrac invented the 'celerifere' which was a bike with two wheels and a seat but not steering or pedaling mechanisms -
The First Handlebars
Karl Drais invents the 'laufmaschine' which is the first steerable bike, operated by the user essentially running with wheels -
The First Pedals
Kirkpatrick Macmillian adds the first pedals to the to the laufmaschine, that allow the user to propel the machine by running off the ground (similar to an elliptical machine) -
The Penny Farthing
James Starley invents the 'penny farthing' whichc is the first machine to be identified as a bicycle -
Rubber Wheels
The first patent for rubber wheels was granted -
A Portable Bike
William Grout creates the first portable bike, that can be folded up for easy travel -
Chain-driven Bicycle
Henry Lawson creates the safety bicycle (which is the most commonly used type of bike today) called the 'bicyclette' that is operated using a chain attached to gears on the rear wheel -
The Rover
John Kemp Starely invents the 'rover' which is the first "modern day" bike -
The First Inflatable Tires
John Boyd Dunlop patents the first inflatable tubes for tires called pneumatic tires -
Coaster Brakes
The first brake operated by pedaling backwards was created -
'Duck' Brakes
The first duck brake is invented, which stops the bike by pressing down on the front tire -
The First Kickstand
Built-in kickstands are developed, allowing bikes to stand on their own -
The Modern Day Mountain Bike
Joe Breeze creates the mountain bike which can be used off-road effectively -
Electric Bikes
Michael Kutter develops the first electric bike, that charges while the user pedals
