PENNY-FARTHING
One of the ancestors of the modern bicycle, the Penny-Farthing is known for its enormous front wheel of up to 150 cm in diameter. Its name comes from the old British coins Penny and the Farthing (worth a quarter of a Penny). When the two coins are placed side by side—Penny-Farthing—the shape of the bicycle emerges.
The Penny-Farthing design, which began to become widespread in the 1870s, aimed to increase speed. The attempt to increase speed by enlarging the front wheel created an accompanying problem: instability. The frequent raising of the center of gravity from the ground brought with it frequent and dangerous falls. Another limitation brought by the Penny-Farthing is its restricted turning ability. The turning angle of the handlebars is limited due to the feet, which are on the pedals on the front wheel.
When the rubber tires and pneumatic tire methods, along with the chain drive innovation developed in the 1880s, created new opportunities for speed and safety, the era of the Penny-Farthing also came to an early end.
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