Karl Drais

Karl Freiherr von Drais
Karl Drais, c. 1820, then still a baron
Born
Karl Friedrich Christian Ludwig Freiherr Drais von Sauerbronn

(1785-04-29)29 April 1785
Karlsruhe, Holy Roman Empire
Died10 December 1851(1851-12-10) (aged 66)
Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
NationalityGerman
OccupationInventor
Karl von Drais on his original Laufmaschine, the earliest two-wheeler, or hobbyhorse in 1819
A Draisine from around 1820, built with cherry wood and softwood. Displayed at the Kurpfälzisches Museum in Heidelberg, Germany.

Karl Freiherr von Drais (full name: Karl Friedrich Christian Ludwig Freiherr Drais von Sauerbronn; 29 April 1785 – 10 December 1851) was a noble German forest official and significant inventor in the Biedermeier period. He was born and died in Karlsruhe. He is seen as "the father of the bicycle".[1]

  1. ^ Hanlon, Sheila. "200 years since the father of the bicycle Baron Karl von Drais invented the 'running machine' | Cycling UK". Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2020.