What is a laufmaschine? (Hint: It has nothing to do with sitcom laugh tracks.)

The draisine, also known as the "laufmaschine" or running machine, is one of the oldest surviving ancestors of the modern bicycle. In 1817, Karl Drais designed and built a two-wheeled, wooden vehicle that was straddled and propelled by walking swiftly.

Round and 'round we go ›