penny farthing

Then of course came the Penny Farthing Bicycle.

The nephew of one of the men responsible for popularity of the penny-farthing was largely responsible for its death.




In 1885 John Kemp (nephew of James Starley) launched the Rover Safety Bicycle, so-called because the rider, seated much lower and farther behind the front wheel contact point, was less prone to "a header" (going over the bars).

In 1888, when John Dunlop re-invented the pneumatic tire for his son's tricycle, the high wheel was made obsolete.

Nowadays they are only used by street artists and bike enthusiasts !