Wheel

Wheel

The wheel was a revolutionary invention by the Mesopotamians. It allowed low friction in movement by rolling. This makes it ideal for transportation applications in which is it generally important to waste as little energy as possible.

History

The ancient Mesopotamians invented the wheel originally in the form of the potter’s wheel. It was then developed from this into a solid wooden disk with a hole in the middle. To make the wheel lighter and more practical the spoked wheel was developed. The Greeks used this type of spoked wheel. The Celts introduced a bronze rim around the outside of the wood to strengthen the structure. This is how the wheel remained, without any major modifications, until the 1800’s when modern tires started being developed.

In 1845, Robert William Thomson patented the pneumatic tire in England. Pneumatic means that the tire was filled with air to provide a "...cushion of air to the ground." This type of tire was originally used on bikes but soon moved on to the automotive world. To this day, pneumatic tires are used on bikes and automobiles.

Alternatives to Wheels

There are many alternatives to using wheels for transportation over land. Different methods include:

• Walking, Skipping, or Running
• Riding a horse or other mountable animal
• Being carried
• Dragging (as with a sled)
• Hovercraft or Electromagnetic Trains
• Slithering