It all started in 1815 after the eruption of a large volcano, Mount Tambora, in present-day Indonesia. So much debris was thrown into the atmosphere that global warming cooled down and crops around the world collapsed, leading to famine and starvation of horses and livestock. In the pre-motor era, the tragedy raised the question of how to transport people without horses. It was then that German inventor Karl Drais decided that he would build a machine that could replace a horse. Two years later he introduced his design - a two-wheeled contraption called a velocipede, which was later modified to turn into a cycle.
The planes were less usable in Vietnam. The simple nature of the bike helped conquer the U.S. airplane Army's complexity. Bicycles were modified and fortified to carry heavy loads (over 200 kg and, called Steel Horses) on narrow, winding jungle trails. The development of pneumatic tires combined with short, sturdy frames in the late 19th century led to the investigation of possible military use of bicycles. To some extent, cyclists take on the role of dragoons, especially as messengers and scouts, instead of horses in battle. Thus, bicycles reduced the need for horses, fuel, and vehicle maintenance. These soldiers, battling on cycles, were known as the bicycling infantry.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mass-produced bicycles became an affordable and effective means of transportation for most of the community. It was used for commuting, as a tool for work and as a cheap and easy way to get around. This brought about significant social changes, from the earliest tourism to the next major change.
Comments