Just look at this thing.
This was not the first bicycle, but it was the first pedal-powered, two-wheeled form of transport to be called a bicycle. It is now called "The Face Paster" or "sublimely retarded."
The high wheel bicycle cost about six months' salary, so it was essentially a playtoy of the rich, and boy, nothing says smug like a handlebar-moustachioed fratboy cruising high above the crowd. And nothing says hilarity like that guy falling from great heights onto a fire hydrant, or the Victorian-era comedic equivalent.
The phrase "taking a header" actually comes from the traditional dismount from the high wheel bicycle as shown in the picture above. A well-placed rock, stick, or infant could bring the rider down in a spectacular fashion. I'd argue that the rider probably deserved it.
