A massive amount of pulverized rock, weighing an estimated 10 billion tons, was ejected into the atmosphere.
The cold and the altered weather patterns triggered crop failures and famine across many parts of the world.
This creative impetus resulted in the invention of the worlds first two-wheeled vehicle.
The machine was made of wood, and comprised a horizontal bar which connected two spoked wooden wheels.
The propulsion of the vehicle relied entirely on the rider’s physical exertion.
Each push would propel the machine significantly farther than an individual could traverse on foot alone.
Six months later, Von Drais applied for a patent in France, introducing the termvelocipedeto describe his invention.
The demonstrations sparked considerable interest, resulting in numerous orders for the man-powered vehicle.
Because Von Drais personally constructed each unit, it led to prolonged delivery times.
Consequently, the initial fervor surrounding the machine waned in Europe by the year’s end.
Among these, the variant engineered by London-based coach-maker Denis Johnson emerged as the most practical.
Denis Johnson’s son riding a velocipede.
Denis Johnson implemented several enhancements to his version of the two-wheeled vehicle, which he marketed in London.
A variant designed by Denis Johnson, called the Ladies Walking Machine.
By the end of 1819, the fervor for hobby-horses in Britain had significantly waned.
A wooden Laufmaschine at the Kurpfalzisches Museum in Heidelberg, Germany.
