Baron Karl von Drais on his 1817 Laufmaschine ()

Germany is home to many great inventions like clarinets, diesel engines and the moveable-type printing press, but did you know that it is also the homeland of bicycles?

The first “Laufmaschines” (running machines) were invented in 1817 by Baron Karl von Drais who worked for the Duke of the Grand Duchy of Baden. Using his last name outside of Germany, the bike became known as the “Draisine.” It is theorized that Drais was creating a new vehicle because horse mortality had been high the previous year. Known as the “Year Without a Summer,” in 1816, Europe experienced a volcanic winter due to the massive eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815.

The Laufmaschine took its first ride of 13 kilometers in Mannheim. Drais traveled from the house where it was built, along the famous “Chausee” road between Mannheim Castle and Schwetzingen Castle, and onto one of the many “Relais” used by the German postal system as stations for boarding fresh horses.

Drais’s original Laufmaschine is located at the City Museum inside the Prinz-Max-Palais in Karlsruhe for all to go see.

Plans for Baron Karl von Drais’ Laufmaschine ()