Is this the stupidest invention ever?

Summary

The article discusses the Penny-Farthing bicycle, a dangerous and impractical invention from the late nineteenth century, and contrasts it with the modern bicycle.

Abstract

The Penny-Farthing bicycle, characterized by its large front wheel and small rear wheel, was a real and rather dangerous mode of transportation that emerged in the late 1800s, despite its impractical design. Invented by James Starley in 1870, it became popular among thrill-seekers for about fifteen years. The bicycle required a running start to mount and had a tendency to pitch riders over the handlebars, leading to frequent accidents. Its popularity eventually waned with the advent of safer bicycle designs developed by John Kemp Starley, James Starley's nephew, which led to the modern bicycle known today.

Opinions

The author considers the Penny-Farthing bicycle to be a particularly foolish invention, labeling it the "bone shaker" and comparing it to fictitious useless inventions like a chocolate teapot or a cotton wool submarine.
The article implies that only individuals with a death wish would use the Penny-Farthing due to its inherent danger and difficulty in operation.
Despite its flaws, the Penny-Farthing remained in use for a significant period, suggesting a level of cultural or historical fascination with the design.
The author has a clear preference for the modern bicycle, viewing it as a safer and more civilized evolution of the Penny-Farthing.
John Kemp Starley is portrayed as more sensible than his uncle, James Starley, for creating a more practical and less hazardous bicycle design.

Is this the stupidest invention ever?

A penny farthing bicycle Photo by Eye Speak on Unsplash

Why was it thought to be a good idea?

People often talk about certain items when they want to describe useless object or person.

The Chocolate teapot, The Concrete parachute, or The Cotton wool submarine. These, of course, are fictitious inventions.

But a really stupid one was a very real invention and was actually used and popular among some death wishers in the late nineteenth century.

I am talking about the Penny-Farthing bicycle, also known as the bone shaker.

For those who are unaware of this peculiar form of transport, it was a two wheeled affair, with a front wheel some 60inches in diameter, with a very small wheel at the rear.

The Penny Farthing was invented by a Mr. James Starley in 1870. Why he invented it, I have no idea.

The only way anybody stupid enough to want to mount this contraption and ride it was to get it moving by pushing until it obtained enough speed to be stable, then jump on the saddle.

Although it did possess a primitive brake, it was also necessary to put some backward pressure on the pedals while the contraption was still moving. This meant that being thrown headfirst over the handlebars was a fairly common occurrence.

Despite these shortcomings, the Penny Farthing remained popular for some fifteen years. Eventually, technology was developed that produced the safer and more civilised form of the bicycle we all know and love.

Picture of a bicycle Photo by Ahsan Raza on Unsplash

It is worth knowing that the man responsible for the development of this technology was a certain Mr. John Kemp Starley, the nephew of Mr. James Starley, the inventor of the dreaded Penny Farthing.

He obviously had more sense than his uncle.