Why did we wait so long for the bicycle?

Re:Why did we wait so long for the bicycle? by akadruid1 on Tuesday July 16, 2019 @02:30AM (#20447925)

The existence of huge numbers of wooden scooters called chukudu in Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda disproves this. Apparently they are made with simple woodworking tools, transport 500 pounds and last 2-3 years.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why did we wait so long for the bicycle? by wolfv on Tuesday July 16, 2019 @04:24AM (#20448391)

The Chukudu is more practical and simpler than the penny-farthing. And the roads in the Democratic Republic of Congo are rough.

Leonardo da Vinci could have built a Chukudu in 1490.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why did we wait so long for the bicycle? by o_nate on Wednesday July 17, 2019 @05:01PM (#20463980)

I read one source that says metal ball bearings are used to attach the wooden wheels to the wooden axle. Makes sense, because otherwise the friction would probably make the device impractical.

[ Parent | on HN ]