Vélocipede

Karl Freiherr von Drais (1785–1851) originally had the idea to create the modern bicycle. He turned to the next chapter in the history of locomotion when inventing the two-wheeled impeller. The vehicle displayed in our permanent exhibition of the 19th century represents the technically improved version 40 years after its invention: a Vélocipede of the company Michaux. New features were the cranks and pedals mounted on the front wheel axle. Instead of pushing off with his feet, the rider now moved forward by pedalling. However, the iron-tired wooden wheels did not really make driving comfortable, the early vehicles were also called "bone shakers". Ernest, the sun of the carbuilder Pierre Michaux (1813–1883) claimed the invention of pedal-crank bicycles for himself, allegedly inspired by the crank mechanism used for grinding stones. At the World Exhibition in Paris in 1867, he presented even two of Vélocipedes and attracted international attention. Together with the brothers Olivier, he founded the company Michaux & Cie, whose bicycles found a ready market especially in Paris – a circumstance most probably due to advanced asphalting of the city’s roads.