© Alamy
■ Two features of modern bicycles – the chain drive and pneumatic tyres – only emerged in the 1880s. Before this, with solid wheel rims, bikes were uncomfortable ‘bone-shakers’, while their speed was limited by the lack of gearing between pedals and wheel. The penny-farthing was an attempt to get around these problems. The large wheel meant the bike travelled faster for a given rate of pedalling, while its springy, extra-long spokes provided a degree of comfort.