The bike at 200: World's craziest rides, then and now

Evolution of the bicycle

The evolution of bike technology is on display in this photo from 1919 showing three different kinds of bicycles.  The bike with the large wheel is known as a penny-farthing or a high-wheel bike and represents one of the earliest forms of bicycles. A more recognizably modern-style bike stands next to it and a strange compact version with tiny wheels sits to the far right.