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4500 BCE
Creation of the Wheel
The concept of the wheel came from logs rolling to transport goods. Many say the Ancient Sumerians invented the Potter wheel, which were utilized for pottery. This idea then came into light for the wooden disk wheel. Which is just solid wood with a hole in the middle of it and an axel right through the hole. -
3500 BCE
Ancient Mesopotamian Wheeled Vehicles
While the wheel was invented in ancient Mesopotamia around 3500 BCE, its use in transportation was initially limited to non-spoked solid wheels, primarily for carts and chariots. These early wheeled vehicles revolutionized trade and transportation in the region, facilitating the movement of goods and materials over long distances and contributing to the development of early urban centers. -
3500 BCE
Fundamental components
Wheels are fundamental components in countless mechanical systems studied in physics and engineering. They are used in simple machines like pulleys and gears, as well as more complex mechanisms such as engines and turbines. Understanding the principles of rotational motion, friction, and torque associated with wheels is essential for designing and analyzing mechanical systems in these disciplines. Having these components helped us through the industrial revolution. -
2000 BCE
Rolling through the years
Civilizations started updating their wheels based off the wooden disk. Starting with Anatolia, they found wooden disk too heavy so they decided to hollow out the wheel to make them lighter creating spoked wheels. Spoked wheels allowed their "vehicles" to go faster, -
100 BCE
Chinese and The Wheelbarrow
The invention of the wheelbarrow in ancient China around the 1st century CE is an underrepresented event in the history of the wheel. The wheelbarrow revolutionized manual labor by allowing individuals to transport heavy loads with less effort. This innovation had significant implications for agriculture, construction, and trade, improving productivity and facilitating economic development. -
400
Nanoscience
Wheels are also utilized in material science and nanotechnology for precision motion control and manipulation at the micro and nanoscale. Researchers develop nano-sized wheels and other rolling structures for applications such as molecular motors, nanorobots, and nanoassembly. Understanding the properties of materials at the nanoscale and engineering miniature wheels enable advancements in fields like nanomedicine, nanoelectronics, and nanomaterial synthesis. -
700
Islamic Golden Age and Mechanical Innovations
During the Islamic Golden Age (8th to 14th centuries), scholars and engineers made significant advancements in various fields, including mechanics and technology. One underrepresented aspect is the development of complex mechanical devices incorporating wheels, such as water-powered clocks and automata. These inventions showcased the sophisticated understanding of mechanics and contributed to the advancement of science and technology during this period. -
1150
Wheels in Science
Holy grail of science and technology is the invention of the motion machine producing free energy once it is set in motion. This wheel had spokes filled with mercury to help set an off balanced motion so this wheel can move on its own. This was a start to bigger ideas such as windmills that create energy. -
1283
Transportation Revolution
Wheels were a vital resource for how it enabled humans the movement of goods. As civilizations grew the wheel became the backbone for trades. Wheels influenced how the technology grew, adapting gears for clocks and machinery. Adding gears to clocks was an "innovation was key to transforming timekeeping from an approximation to a precise science" -
Galileo's Investigation of Rolling Objects
Galileo Galilei, a key figure in the Scientific Revolution, conducted experiments with inclined planes and rolling balls. His studies on the acceleration of objects rolling down inclines contributed to the development of the laws of motion, which are fundamental to understanding how wheels function. -
Hooke's Law and Springs
Hooke's research on elasticity and his formulation of Hooke's Law had significant implications for various fields, including physics, engineering, and biology. In engineering, Hooke's Law is fundamental to understanding and designing structures that involve elastic materials, such as springs and elastic components in machinery. Springs, which obey Hooke's Law, play crucial roles in numerous mechanical devices, including clocks, shock absorbers, and suspension systems. -
Newcomen's Steam Engine
Although developed after the Scientific Revolution, Thomas Newcomen's steam engine utilized a rotating wheel mechanism to convert the motion of a piston into rotary motion. This invention played a crucial role in the Industrial Revolution, which was a direct outcome of the Scientific Revolution. While these events and concepts don't directly involve literal wheels, they represent important advancements in understanding the development of technologies that rely on mechanisms similar to wheels. -
Steel Mills
Iron products were in demand, but it wasn’t until the 19th century, when technological advances drove down the cost and increased the quality of the product, that steel manufacturing became a dominant industry. In these factories giant wheels were utilized to roll out the steel to help advance technology. -
Steam engine!
The steam engine, a pivotal invention of the Industrial Revolution, relied heavily on wheels for power transmission. James Watt's improvements to the steam engine, including the addition of a flywheel, allowed for more consistent and efficient operation. Flywheels, which are large, heavy wheels, helped regulate the motion of the engine's piston, smoothing out fluctuations in power output and allowing machinery to operate more smoothly. -
Textile industry
The textile industry experienced a revolution with the invention of mechanized spinning and weaving machines. These machines, such as the spinning jenny and the power loom, were driven by wheels powered by water wheels or later by steam engines. By mechanizing the spinning and weaving processes, these inventions dramatically increased productivity and efficiency in textile production. -
The Wheelchair
The Second Scientific Revolution witnessed advancements in medical technology and rehabilitation practices. In 1932, Harry Jennings and Herbert Everest invented the first lightweight, collapsible wheelchair with spoke wheels. This invention revolutionized mobility assistance for individuals with disabilities, providing them with greater independence and accessibility. -
Chevrolet
Information and space age was overall a huge step forward when it came to wheels this is when vehicles started up production. They began mass production of the wheels we depend on every day for our cars. Most importantly Chevrolet came out with their three series models that were loved by everyone. -
Wheels and games
The popular game show "Wheel of Fortune" reflects the concept of fate, symbolized by the goddess Fortuna spinning a wheel to determine destinies. This concept resonates with the unpredictability of scientific progress during the Scientific Revolution, where chance and deliberate inquiry played pivotal roles in shaping the fortunes of individuals and societies amidst profound intellectual transformation. -
Reaction Wheels
The hubble space telescope uses reaction wheels to move around in space. These wheels work by rotating a large flywheel up to 3000 RPM or braking it. Overall, reaction wheels are indispensable for the precise pointing and orientation control required by spacecraft like the Hubble Space Telescope, enabling them to conduct groundbreaking observations of the cosmos. -
Hydroponics
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water solutions. It's particularly important for environments like space where traditional agriculture isn't feasible. Fans are crucial for maintaining oxygen levels underwater, ensuring the health of both the plants and any aquatic life involved. These fans need to be carefully designed and powered to withstand the underwater environment. -
Wheels up
Wheel now as we know "It serves as a testament to the power of innovation, connecting the threads of civilization throughout time." Wheels are utilized everyday whether it's driving your car, an old office clock or even when teaching you kid to ride a bike. It keeps revolutionizing as technology improves. Wheels are vital for everyday use since the start of times, it has always helped civilizations spread and grow. -
Autonomous Vehicles and Robotics
One of the forefront areas in contemporary STEM is the development of autonomous vehicles and robotics. These technologies heavily rely on wheels for mobility. Engineers and researchers are continuously working on improving the design, efficiency, and safety of wheels used in autonomous cars, drones, and other robotic systems. Addressing challenges such as navigation, obstacle detection, and energy efficiency are crucial for the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles. -
Green Transportation and Sustainable Mobility
Growing concerns about climate change and environmental sustainability, there is a significant emphasis on developing green transportation solutions. STEM professionals are exploring innovations such as electric vehicles, bicycles, and public transportation systems that utilize advanced wheel technologies to minimize carbon emissions and promote sustainable mobility options. Improving battery technology, lightweight materials for wheels -
Medical Mobility Devices
In the field of healthcare, STEM plays a crucial role in designing and improving mobility devices such as wheelchairs, prosthetics, and orthotic devices. Engineers and medical professionals collaborate to develop advanced wheel technologies that enhance mobility, comfort, and accessibility for individuals with disabilities or mobility impairments. Innovations such as smart wheelchairs, exoskeletons, and robotic prosthetics are transforming the mobility life. -
Space Exploration and Extraterrestrial Mobility
The exploration of space presents unique challenges for mobility, requiring innovative solutions for navigating extraterrestrial terrains. STEM researchers are developing rovers and vehicles equipped with specialized wheels designed to operate in harsh environments such as the surface of Mars or the Moon. These wheels need to withstand extreme temperatures, rough terrain, and low-gravity conditions while ensuring precise control and durability. -
Citations
Tolentino, C. (2024, January 29). Who invented the wheel? history of the wheel. History Cooperative. https://historycooperative.org/who-invented-the-wheel/ Hardy, J. (2024b, March 11). The hands of time: Who invented the clock?. History Cooperative. https://historycooperative.org/who-invented-the-clock/