Bicycle History: The Penny-Farthing, or High Wheel

The penny-farthing, also known as the "high wheel", was the first vehicle to be called a "bicycle". This two-wheeler was popular in the 1870s and 1880s. Then it gave way to more modern models, but remained forever in history, becoming a symbol of the late Victorian era.

The name comes from the appearance of the British penny and farthing coins, as one of them (the penny) is much larger than the other (the farthing) "so are the wheels of this bike.

The large front wheel provided high speed (due to the fact that it moved a long distance with each turn of the legs) and comfort (the large wheel provides more cushioning).

The penny-farthing went out of use from the late 1880s — with the development of modern bicycles, which provided a similar increase in speed due to chain-driven gears and comfort thanks to pneumatic tires, and were advertised as safer.

Despite its short life, the penny farthing became a symbol of the late Victorian era. Its popularity coincided with the birth of cycling as a separate sport.