If there is ever an example of the slightly eccentric, yet also strangely practical nature of Victorian-era machinery, it is the Penny Farthing. The name of this unusual bike comes from the British Penny and Farthing coins of the era, with the Penny being the larger of the two. Whilst traditionally regarded as a symbol of Victorian Britain, it has its origins in Paris.

Prior to the invention of the pneumatic tyre and the bicycle chain, the Penny Farthing proved to be a comfortable form of self-propelled travel, and was said to be quite comfortable (it doesn’t look comfortable, but looks can be deceiving!). However the Penny Farthing’s tenure was short-lived. Following their emergence in the 1870s, they were on their way out by the 1890s, as ‘safety bicycles’ (what you and I would call a conventional bike) took over. One element behind the decline was indeed safety; a fall from the higher Penny Farthing carried a little more risk of a more serious injury.

These days, Penny Farthings are rarely seen, though enthusiasts will take them for a spin. They are still manufactured, and one UK manufacturer saw record sales during the covid pandemic, but it appears highly unlikely they will ever go mainstream again!