On this day Feb 17) in 1818

[Cubist]

Karl Christian Ludwig von Drais patented the Laufmaschine. Known in England as a hobby horse, it was Karl's answer to the fact all the horses starved to death due to a famine. The forerunner of the bicycle it had two wheels, the front of which steered. Top speed of around 9mph, so it was in fact twice as fast as an Apollo FS26 at any distance more than a mile.

 

[trustysteed]

so it was in fact twice as fast as an Apollo FS26 at any distance more than a mile.

that must have been a 'mare!

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

9mph?? Uphill??

Well no.

But 9mph Downhill??? Scary

 

[Hover Fly]

In the version I heard, the shortage of hores was because of the number killed in the Napoleonic wars, which also gave a start to steam locomotives on the Stockton and Darlington Railway.