The Velocipedist, Vol. 1, No. 2, March 1869

The first forerunners to the bicycle appeared in the 1810s. These two-wheeled vehicles were commonly called velocipedes -- an adaptation of the Latin phrase "velox pedis," meaning "swift of foot." The earliest versions had no pedals or drive mechanisms. Riders simply scooted along using foot power. By 1869 velocipedes were popular enough to inspire the publication of The Velocipedist magazine.