1-157-219 - Oxford Science Archive/Heritage Images

Draisienne or velocipede, France, 1818. The Draisienne was the forerunner of the bicycle and was invented by Baron von Drais in France in 1817. It was introduced to England the following year by Denis Johnson, a coachmaker of Long Acre, London, and was known in Britain as a 'dandy' or 'hobby horse. Draisiennes had no pedals or brakes, but were propelled by the rider pushing on the ground with his feet, and dragging the feet to slow the machine. This print may depict a servant of Baron von Drais setting off on a trip into the countryside outside Paris.