1816 Draisine (Replica)
Baron von Drais, Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Karl Drais, a German land surveyor and inventor, created the Laufmaschine,
or Draisine, in response to the volcanic eruption of Mount Tambora, which
resulted in global environmental catastrophe and famine. With little resources
available, many livestock starved, and Karl Drais was forced to find a new
mode of transportation. He then invented the Draisine. To provide propulsion,
one would sit on the saddle and push along the road with his feet. In this way,
one could quickly build up speed and then coast for a few moments, leaning
against the backrest. His first publicly reported ride on his new machine was
from Mannheim to Rheinau, 8.6 miles in one hour.
