WALHT: Use information skills to find information and combine it together using words and images to inform others.
Penny Farthings
The Penny Farthing is a type of bicycle that has two different sized wheels. One large front wheel and a much smaller wheel at the back. The front wheel can be up to 5 ft high which makes it harder to ride on. This bicycle was popular in the 1870’s till the 1890’s which was in the Victorian era.
Invention and Inspiration
It was invented in the 1870’s by James Starley and was given the name ‘Penny Farthing’ when the bicycle was nearly outdated. The name of this bike got it’s inspiration from the old British coins, pennies and farthings. When the penny is on the left and the farthing is on the right it forms the shape of the two wheels.
Getting on the Bicycle
The disadvantage of this bicycle is that it’s difficult to get on and off, and falling off of it is a serious hazard. To get onto the seat of the bike one foot would have to be placed on a peg behind the back wheel. The rider gets a hold onto the handlebar and lifts themselves onto the saddle. In most photos of people riding penny farthings they’re on clear roads since it’s most likely they’re avoiding potholes, stones and animals on the road.
Riding the Bicycle
Riding the penny farthing is similar to riding a normal bicycle. To avoid falling it’s important to pedal steadily and to keep balance. When people ride penny farthings their backs are always straight. If not it’s most likely they’ll fall off which can cause bad injuries.
The Penny Farthing Today
In the year 1888, John Dunlop re-invented his son’s tricycle which made it the new trend. Because of this it made the penny farthing obsolete (out of date). Five years later penny farthings were no longer being made. People who were interested in this bicycle adapted the design and built new penny farthings that are much more safe and easier to use.
