Mr. Henry Adams is now the proud owner of a velocipede
(Latin for 'walk fast or swift'). However, the original version was known as the "draisine," invented in 1817 by Baron Karl von Drais. Also called the "Laufmaschine" (running machine) or "dandy horse,", it was the first practical, two-wheeled, steerable, human-propelled vehicle — a direct precursor to the modern bicycle.

The draisine was created in response to a shortage of horses caused by the global climate anomaly known as the "Year Without a Summer" in 1816. a year so cold after the eruption of Mt. Tambora, that crops failed around the world, causing massive famine. Horses were slaughtered as there was no food for them, let alone the people. Without a horse, Drais wanted a way to move around quickly! The velocipede craze swept London in 1819 and there are reports of them being riden to and being seen in Brighton.Velocipedes continued to be used by enthusiasts right up until the 1830s.

This is an exact replica made by Jack Greene.