The German-invented Laufmaschine, later known as a "hobby-horse," was an early type of bicycle that differed from modern bicycles in one key way. What was it?

The so-called "hobby horse," more derogatorily called a "dandy horse" had no pedals and relied on people to power it with their feet. Invented by Karl Drais as Laufmaschine in 1817 in Germany, he later patented it under the name vélocipède in France.

Asked by Tom Cohen · Last updated 5 years ago · 7.2K views