Here's a simple glossary of some terms from the early days of cycling:
Hobby horse: A wheeled vehicle pushed along by the feet.
Velocipede: The name for the earliest version of what we now consider a bicycle. Because of its rough ride, it was also called a boneshaker.
High-wheeler: A bicycle with a large wheel and a smaller second wheel, typically in the front, that had solid rubber tires. Also called a penny farthing because the main wheel looked like a large British penny with a smaller farthing with it. After the debut of safety bikes (see below), they often were called ordinaries.
Safety bike: Term for a cycle with two same-size wheels on air-filled tires and gearing that replaced high-wheel bikes.
Taking a header: Getting thrown over front wheel of a high-wheeler that is suddenly stopped by an obstacle or when the rider leans too far forward.
