Who famously added pedals and cranks to create the "vélocipède à pédales"?
Answer
Pierre Michaux and Pierre Lallement
The critical innovation of adding pedals and cranks to the steerable two-wheeled concept was achieved by Pierre Michaux and Pierre Lallement in the 1860s. This adaptation transformed the previous ground-pushing machine into what is now commonly recognized as the foundational structure of the modern bicycle, often termed the "vélocipède à pédales." Before this addition, devices like Karl Drais's 1817 *Laufmaschine* relied solely on the rider propelling themselves forward by pushing their feet directly onto the ground. The introduction of pedals allowed for continuous, more efficient application of human power to the wheels, marking a significant milestone in personal transport evolution.
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