The reason for the invention of the Pedersen cycle was the fact
that bicycle saddles a hundred years ago were just as
uncomfortable as leather saddles nowadays.
So a completely different saddle was needed. Mikael Pedersen
invented the hammock saddle, which could also swing sideways,
so it is much more difficult to get a „soar butt“.

The saddle could swing freely and so the bumps from the road
could be cushioned off pretty effectively.
People compare sitting and cycling on such a hammock saddle as
„floating“ or „gliding“.