A Short Documentary from 1915 About the Evolution of the Bicycle

This is a cool French documentary from 1915 that shows the evolution of the bicycle from 1818 to the 1890s. It’s cool to see the transformation to what is essentially the chain-driven bicycle we use to this day. All of the intertitles are Dutch, but  Aeon translated them  to English.

1. The draisine was invented only a century ago, in 1818 by Baron Drais de Sauerbrun.
3. The vehicle that lies between the draisine and the 1850 bicycle has an improved steering wheel and a fitted brake.
4. In 1863, Pierre Lallement invented pedals that worked on the front wheel.
5. Around 1868, a third wheel was added. Although these tricycles were heavier than the two-wheelers, they were safer.
6. Between 1867 and 1870, various improvements were made, including the increased use of rubber tyres.
7. In 1875, following an invention by the engineer Trieffault, the frame was made of hollow pipes.
8. Following the fashion of the day, the front wheel was made as large as possible.
9. In 1878, Renard created a bicycle with a wheel circumference of more than 7 feet. Just sitting down on one of these was an athletic feat!
11. At the beginning of 1879, Rousseau replaced the large front wheel with a smaller one, and the chain was introduced on the front wheel for driving power.
12. The bicycle of today.