Karl Drais invents the Laufmaschine (dandy horse) in Mannheim

Background. Karl Drais was a noble German forest official and significant inventor in the Biedermeier period. He is regarded as the father and inventor of the bicycle. His invention, the Laufmaschine, was a two-wheeled, foot-propelled conveyance, also called the velocipede, draisine, or dandy horse. This was the earliest form of a bicycle, without pedals.

Invention and First Ride. Drais invented the Laufmaschine in 1817. His first reported ride took place on 12 June 1817, from Mannheim to the Schwetzinger Relaishaus, using Baden's best road. The invention was a practically used precursor to the bicycle, being the first commercially successful two-wheeled, steerable, human-propelled machine.

Privilege and Context. On 12 January 1818, Drais was awarded a grand-ducal privilege to protect his inventions for 10 years in Baden. The invention occurred in Mannheim, a city known for its inventions. The climate crisis of 1816–17 caused famine and the death of many horses in Mannheim, and Drais invented the first bicycle that same year.

Legacy and Naming. The term draisine is derived from Drais's invention. The machine was called draisine in German by the press. Later, the name draisine came to be applied only to the invention used on rails. Drais was unable to market his inventions for profit because he was still a civil servant of Baden.