Lewis Gompertz's improvement on Baron von Drais's bicycle, 1821. Artist: Unknown

Lewis Gompertz's improvement on Baron von Drais's bicycle, 1821. Artist: Unknown

1-151-950 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Lewis Gompertz's improvement on Baron von Drais's bicycle, 1821. 'The dandy ' or 'hobby horse' was the forerunner of the bicycle and was invented by Baron von Drais in France in 1817. It was introduced to England the following year by Denis Johnson, a coachmaker of Long Acre, London. Dandy horses had no pedals or brakes, but were propelled by the rider pushing on the ground with his feet, and dragging the feet to slow the machine. Gompertz improved on von Drais' design by adding a rack-and-pinion to power the front wheel.


Image Details


People Information

Creator
  1. Unknown, attributed to: :
People Related
  1. Baron Karl von Drais: German: Inventor of the pedestrian hobbyhorse
  2. Denis Johnson: British: Coachmaker
  3. Lewis Gompertz: British: Inventor

Medium
  1. Wood engraving

Category Hierarchy

Lifestyle & Leisure Transport & Travel

Science & Nature Technology & Innovation


Digital Image Size

Pixel Dimensions (W x H) : 3869x2709
File Size : 30,707kb


Aliases

  1. 005908
  1. 005908
  1. 0390000890
  1. 1-151-950
  1. 1151950
  1. 890

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