The bicycle was first invented in 1817 by the German Baron Karl von Drais. His invention was called the "Laufmaschine" (running machine), also known as the Draisine or Draisienne. It was a two-wheeled, steerable, human-propelled machine without pedals, and the rider propelled it by pushing with their feet on the ground. Von Drais first used this machine on June 12, 1817, and it was the first commercially successful bicycle-like device, often called a velocipede or hobby horse at the time. Later developments added pedals and other features, leading to the modern bicycle, but von Drais's invention is regarded as the first verifiable bicycle.
