In 1815 a volcanic eruption wreaked havoc around the world. But it led to the birth of the bicycle
Drais’s invention didn’t replace the horse: the weather returned to normal, leading to a bumper harvest in 1817. Even so, enthusiasts continued to improve on his design. The crucial addition of pedals occurred in France in the 1860s. Other refinements included better brakes, a steel frame, lightweight metal wheels and a chain to drive them. By the late 1880s these elements had been combined into a recognisably modern design: the bicycle.
What inventions currently under the radar will be mothered during and after the pandemic?
