Need of invention of tricycle

The very first tricycle was invented in 1680 by a disabled, German,

watchmaker, Stephan Farffler, to be used as a wheelchair to enable him to get
around. It was not operated by pedals but by a series of gears and hand
cranks. It was over 100 years before a pedal power version was invented by
two Frenchmen named Blanchard and Maguier in 1789.
In contrast, the first bicycle was invented by another German, Baron Karl von
Drais, in 1817. This version, known as a Laufmaschine, had no pedals and
the rider had to scoot along until they had gained enough speed to coast,
similar to the balance bikes some young children use today. The Baron’s
device had a wooden beam to straddle and wooden wheels with iron rims and
leather tyres.
By 1879 over twenty variations of tricycles were being manufactured in
Coventry and, due to their popularity, by 1884 over 120 models were being
made by 20 manufacturers. They were particularly popular amongst women
whose long dresses made it difficult to ride a conventional bike and also, they
were safer for elderly people and children. Another plus was being able to
carry luggage on the back which led to the invention of rickshaws which could
carry passengers.
During the late 1800’s more tricycles were made due to the upper classes
considering them more genteel. Queen Victoria purchased a pair in 1881
which made them even more fashionable and soon there were magazines
and clubs in honour of the three-wheeler and some brave riders even raced
them.
The development of the chain driven safety bicycle led to a sudden change in
the market at the end of the 1800’s. High wheel bicycles and tricycles became
obsolete when everyone saw the new cheaper, safer, faster and more
rideable bicycles which were not too different from the ones still popular today.