Read this excerpt from Chapter 1 of Wheels of Change by Sue Macy.Inventors began to explore the idea of attaching cranks or pedals to the velocipede's wheels as early as the 1820s. Although a few made successful models for personal use, no one developed a prototype that gained widespread acceptance until the 1860s. Some attribute the breakthrough to Ernest Michaux, a French carriage maker, though others credit Pierre Lallement, who worked for him. At any rate, the new velocipede was propelled by pedals and cranks attached directly to the axel of the front wheel, which was slightly larger than the wheel behind it. Forward progress could be stopped or slowed by pedaling backward.
Answer
A
the gradual improvements in bicycle design
B
the process of attaining design patents
C
the increasing competition among bicycle companies
D
the progression of adding safety features to bicycles
Explanation
The excerpt describes how the velocipede changed over time: inventors experimented with cranks and pedals, and by the 1860s a design using front-wheel pedals had gained acceptance. This supports “the gradual improvements in bicycle design.” The passage does not discuss patents, competition among companies, or the development of safety features.
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