The Scooter – A Journey Through Time
How Did the Scooter Come to Be?
It all started with the wheel. We all know that, but have you ever wondered how the scooter came into existence?
Without a doubt, scooters are experiencing a significant resurgence today. Despite their simple construction, they have been popular for generations, enjoyed by parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents of today's users. However, pinpointing exactly who invented this form of recreation and entertainment is challenging. What is certain is that in its early days, the scooter was primarily a source of fun.
What Came First: The Scooter or the Balance Bike?
Believe it or not, the first scooters resembled balance bikes, which likely served as their prototype. The concept was introduced by German inventor Karl Friedrich von Drais. In 1813, he created what was known as the velocipede, a two-wheeled running machine with a steerable front wheel—the precursor to the modern bicycle, named the draisine after its creator. On August 1, 1817, von Drais traveled a 50-kilometer stretch from Karlsruhe to Kehl on this running machine in just four hours. However, the invention did not gain popularity among potential users of the time, and the prototype balance bike was auctioned off for a mere five marks.
It’s possible that a few years later, around 1817, another German, inspired by von Drais' work, came up with the idea to replace the seat on the balance bike with a platform. What is certain is that during the Great Depression (1929 – 1933) in the United States, due to widespread shortages, children crafted their own vehicles resembling scooters from salvaged wood.
A British Teen's Toy
There is also speculation that the idea of the scooter originated with a young Brit named Walter Lines. In 1947, the family toy company, Lines Bros Ltd, was one of the world's largest producers of wooden toys and tricycles. Some claim that fifteen-year-old Walter created a prototype, but due to his father's lack of interest, the scooter was never patented.
Scooter Scouts
The archives of the National Digital Archive preserve several photographs depicting scooters and their users from various eras. Among the oldest is a photo of American actress Eleanor Whitney sitting on a motorized scooter. The description under the photo suggests this, but it's hard to resist the impression that this 1936 scooter closely resembles today's models.
Equally inspiring is an image from 1934 showing young scouts parading through the streets of Krakow, some dressed as knights. Leading the parade, five boys ride on scooters.
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An interesting theory suggests that scooters were initially invented for girls. They were particularly popular in the 1950s before giving way to skateboards. Now, they are making a comeback. Riding a scooter is becoming a trendy way to stay active.
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