Michaux Boneshaker Velocipede

Michaux Boneshaker This early version of bicycle was invented in 1863 by Pierre Lallement, first manufactured by the Michaux company from 1867 to 1869. It is the first style of human powered vehicle to use pedals. It essentially updated the "running machine" to include pedals. Originally named the Velocipede (meaning fast feet in English), it quickly won the nickname "boneshaker" for its horribly uncomfortable ride. To alleviate this issue, they were built over time with larger and larger sized front wheels, eventually leading to the "High Wheeler", or "Penny Farthing". Bicycle wheels didn't return to a matching smaller size until the advent of pneumatic tires. The boneshaker is perhaps the first vehicle made which can be accurately described as a bicycle. c.1869