Karl Drais

Karl Freiherr von Drais (29 April 1785 – 10 December 1851) was a noble German forest official and significant inventor in the Biedermeier period. He was born and died in Karlsruhe. Drais invented the Laufmaschine ("running machine").

Karl Drais Media

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Karl von Drais on his original Laufmaschine, the earliest two-wheeler, or hobbyhorse in 1819
Draisine or Laufmaschine, around 1820. Archetype of the Bicycle. Pic 01.jpg

A Draisine from around 1820, built with cherry wood and softwood. Displayed at the Kurpfälzisches Museum in Heidelberg, Germany.
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Tomb of Karl von Drais, Karlsruhe