Zwei neue Wasservelocipede auf der Oberspree bei Berlin.

Article ID DS1210

Title

Zwei neue Wasservelocipede auf der Oberspree bei Berlin.

The lower illustration shows two water velocipedes, ridden by two men, on the Oberspree near Berlin. The upper illustration shows a portrait of William McKinley, Jr., 25th President of the United States.

Year

ca. 1880

Artist

Stöwer

Historical Description

In 1817, the German forest official Karl Drais invented the so-called “Laufmaschine” or draisine – the first two-wheeled, steerable vehicle without pedals. In the 1860s, French inventors developed the first pedal-powered bicycle – the “vélocipède”, also known as the “boneshaker”. Around 1885, the so-called “safety bicycle” was introduced, featuring equal-sized wheels, a chain drive, and pedal propulsion – the predecessor of the modern bicycle. In the following decades, the bicycle was further improved (e.g. with pneumatic tires and gears) and became a popular means of transportation worldwide.

Place of Publication Germany
Dimensions (cm)34,5 x 24 cm
ConditionPerfect condition
Coloringcolored
TechniqueWood engraving