The discussion centers on the ingenuity of the bicycle inventor in understanding balance on two wheels. It highlights that early bicycles, particularly running bikes, were easier for children to learn, emphasizing the importance of momentum in maintaining balance. The conversation also references Michael Faraday as an early cyclist who utilized a running bicycle, illustrating the historical context of bicycle development. The notion that simple experiments, such as rolling a coin, could have informed the inventor's understanding of balance is also presented as a key insight.
PREREQUISITESHistorians, educators, bicycle enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the principles of balance and the evolution of transportation technology.
Early two wheelers were running bikes, which are much easier to learn, hence still popular for small kids:cnh1995 said:I'm wondering how the inventor of bicycle knew the fact that it would be possible to maintain balance on two wheels.
As a matter of interest, MIchael Faraday was one of the first cyclists, having one of the running bicycles, which he used to ride down a nearby hill.A.T. said:Early two wheelers were running bikes, which are much easier to learn, hence still popular for small kids:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_bicycle#19th_Century