Stephan Farffler (1633 – 1689), was a Nuremberg watchmaker of the seventeenth century whose invention of a manumotive carriage in 1655 is widely considered to have been the first self-propelled wheelchair. The three-wheeled device is also believed to have been a precursor to the modern-day tricycle and bicycle.
1689 Wheelchair and Quad
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According to the below image, he could also be considered the inventor of the Recumbent Quadracycle. Considering that he died in 1689, he had to do it some time prior to 1689.- A quadracycle is a four-wheeled human-powered land vehicle. It is also referred to as a quadricycle, quadcycle, pedal car or four-wheeled bicycle amongst other terms.
- The earliest recorded pedal-powered quadracycle was exhibited in 1853 at the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations World's Fair held in New York City.
- Drais' velocipede (1817) provided the basis for further developments: in fact, it was a draisine which inspired a French metalworker around 1863 to add rotary cranks and pedals to the front-wheel hub, to create the first pedal-operated "bicycle" as we today understand the word.
- They sure need to come to a consensus. 1853 or 1863 for pedal invention?
- Two possible foot pedals appear to be clearly visible almost 200 years prior to their official invention. Yet, Mr. Farffler is not the one credited with the invention.
- What could be the reason for such a delay?
- Why do you think Mr. Farffler was considered to be a "precursor", and not the inventor?
- In my opinion, he was the inventor, but then the narrative would have to explain this 200 year delay.
1689 Wheelchair and Quad
1817 Draisine: before there was a bicycle
P.S. Additionally we have this for history, but what do we know?