What structural aspect of the penny-farthing made the rider prone to the 'header' hazard?
The rider's weight was situated far forward and high above the center of gravity, directly over the front axle.
The high center of gravity resulting from the design was the primary physical catalyst for the 'header' hazard. Because the seat was positioned immediately above the axle of the gigantic front wheel to maximize leverage, the rider’s weight distribution was extremely forward-biased and elevated. When an external force suddenly halted the forward momentum—like striking an obstacle or applying aggressive deceleration—the machine acted as a lever, pivoting sharply over the front axle. This action projected the elevated mass of the rider forward and down, resulting in the head striking the ground first. This inherent instability contrasted sharply with the lower, centralized seating of later designs.
