Drais Collection

BICYCLING: DRAISINE, 1816. The Draisine, or Pedestrian Curricle, devised, 1816, by Karl von Drais de Sauerbrun. Drawing, 19th century

Lewis Gompertz's (1783/4-1861) improvement on Baron von Drais's bicycle
530685 Lewis Gompertz's (1783/4-1861) improvement on Baron von Drais's bicycle, powered by a rack-and-pinion on the front wheel. Wood engraving c1880. ; Universal History Archive/UIG

Baron von Drais's bicycle (Draisienne). Exhibited Paris 1818. Woodcut from Mechanics Magazine, London, September
530733 Baron von Drais's bicycle (Draisienne). Exhibited Paris 1818. Woodcut from Mechanics Magazine, London, September, 1832.; Universal History Archive/UIG

The Dandy-Horse, introduced c1818, called the Draisen in Paris and the Drais Laufmashin in Germany
530687 The Dandy-Horse, introduced c1818, called the Draisen in Paris and the Drais Laufmashin in Germany. Wood engraving c1880.; Universal History Archive/UIG

The dandy horse, c1818. The dandy or hobby horse was the forerunner of the bicycle and was invented by Baron von Drais in France in 1817

The beginnings of war machines, military bicycles, forerunners of the modern military bicycle
973555 The beginnings of war machines, military bicycles, forerunners of the modern military bicycle, continuous evolutionary stages (litho) by English School

Johnsons Pedestrian Hobbyhorse Riding School, the Strand, Westminster, London, 1819
Interior view of Johnsons Pedestrian Hobbyhorse Riding School in the Strand, Westminster, London, 1819. Fashionably dressed men riding hobby horses at a riding school at 337 Strand, London

Johnsons Pedestrian Hobby-Horse Riding School at 377, Strand, 1819, (1912). Coloured aquatint showing fashionably dresed men riding hobby horses at a riding school in London

The Military Accelerator - Particularly Recommended to Cavalry Officers, c1820. Cartoon showing a suggested use for the Hobby-Horse or Dandy-Horse which was introduced into the British Isles in 1818

Six early forms of bicycle, c1870. 19th century hobby horses, fore-runners of the bicycles, including the Dandy Horse, Gompertzs velocipede, the Dublin velocipede and the Bone-Shaker

Draisienne or velocipede shown replacing horses in the French post service, 1818
Draisienne or velocipede, France, 1818. The Draisienne was the forerunner of the bicycle and was invented by Baron von Drais in France in 1817

Baron von Draiss bicycle (Draisienne). Exhibited Paris 1818. Artist: Baron von Drais
Baron von Draiss bicycle (Draisienne). Exhibited Paris 1818. From Mechanics Magazine, London, September, 1832

Lewis Gompertzs improvement on Baron von Draiss bicycle, 1821. The dandy or hobby horse was the forerunner of the bicycle and was invented by Baron von Drais in France in 1817

Primitive bicycle, a form of dandy horse, c1818. The dandy or hobby horse was the forerunner of the bicycle and was invented by Baron von Drais in France in 1817

Laufmaschine (running machine), named Draisine, bicycle invented by Baron Karl Christian Ludwig Drais von Sauerbronn in 1817. Etching. FRANCE. Paris. Mus饠 Carnavalet (Carnavalet Museum)

Drais Walking Wheel
The walking wheel of Monsieur Drais. Date: 1818

BICYCLES: DRAISINE, 1816. The Draisine, or Pedestrian Curricle, invented by Karl von Drais de Sauerbrun in 1816. Wood engraving, 19th century

BICYCLING, 1819. The Draisine, or Pedestrian Curricle, invented by Karl von Drais de Sauerbrun in 1816 and introduced into the United States in 1819. Wood engraving, 1869

Cycling / Draisienne / 1819
DRAISIENNE Or the pedestrians accelerator, invented by Baron Von Drais

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"Drais: Pioneering the Evolution of Bicycles in the 19th Century" Step back in time to witness the birth of a revolutionary invention - the draisine, also known as the pedestrian curricle. Invented by Karl von Drais de Sauerbrun in 1816, this two-wheeled wonder marked a significant milestone in transportation history. Before pedals and chains dominated bicycles, there was the dandy horse. Introduced around 1818, it allowed riders to propel themselves forward using their feet on the ground. This precursor to modern bikes showcased early attempts at harnessing human power for locomotion. But it wasn't just leisurely rides that intrigued inventors; military applications were also explored. The evolution of war machines led to military bicycles, which gradually transformed into efficient tools for soldiers on wheels. These lithographs depict continuous advancements towards what we now recognize as modern military bicycles. In bustling London of 1819, Johnson's Pedestrian Hobbyhorse Riding School became a hub for enthusiasts eager to master this new mode of transportation. Located at Westminster's Strand, it offered an opportunity for people from all walks of life to experience these innovative contraptions firsthand. Meanwhile, across Europe and beyond, various iterations emerged. French post service even adopted velocipedes or draisines instead of horses by 1818. Baron von Drais himself exhibited his bicycle design in Paris that same year - an artistic portrayal showcases his visionary creation. Notably contributing to this evolutionary journey was Lewis Gompertzs' improvement on Baron von Drais' bicycle design in 1821. As technology advanced and ideas flourished, primitive versions slowly paved the way for more refined models like Gompertzs'. Today we owe much gratitude to these early pioneers who dared challenge convention and push boundaries with their walking wheels and hobbyhorses. Their relentless pursuit ultimately laid down foundations upon which our beloved bicycles stand tall.