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The Wheel

Throughout history, there have been countless inventions developed that have helped mankind grow and prosper. Men have developed tools and inventions that have either simplified tasks or added in the progression of civilization by their use and development. The technology associated with each invention progressed as men gained knowledge, overcame superstitions and religious restrictions which often hindered advancements prior to the 19th century. Inventions such as fire and weapons allowed early humans the ability to cloth, feed and defend themselves. As early humans evolved, and their levels of intellect and abilities to reasons became more defined, the need for resources that would help advance their cultures and civilizations were sought after as well. The wheel, as simple and basic as it may seem, may be up there with fire as one of the important inventions in the history of the human race. Many of the innovations and technological advances today such as watches, automobiles, air travel, and computers would not be possible without the invention of the wheel give or take 5000 Years ago.

Early History

There is no documented evidence of a particular person who invented the first wheel however, the first wheel was believed to have been developed in Mesopotamia (which is classified as one of the first ancient civilizations) around 3500 B.C, but was not used primarily for transportation purposes as it is today (Revolutionary). The early wheels during that period of time were used as a means to help transport or moving large items, generally short distances, from one point to another. A primary use for the wheel in early civilizations was as a potter’s wheel which helped make clay pots used for cooking, eating and storing food items. This process allowed the Mesopotamians to mass-produce pottery for their own uses, as well as for trading with other cultures and civilizations throughout Persia and the Arabian Peninsula regions. Pottery was an important commodity during that time period and was looked at both practically and religiously since it was seen as tributes to the gods, as fertility symbols and animal figurines that enjoyed cultural significance within early cultures (Wheel). But as important as the wheel was for making pottery and grinding wheat to make flour for bread, the wheel was looked at as an essential item for transportation purposes. This was its primary purpose during early civilizations.

Further evolution of the wheel

Although the concept of the wheel was primarily used for rudimentary purposes, perfecting a functional wheel and axel system would take years of trial and error to perfect. Throughout early history the primary means use for the wheel with regard to transportation purposes was to move large items and goods distances that domesticated animals (i.e. horses, camels) could not carry alone (History). The ability to transport goods, materials, and people from a relatively small geographic area of the world to far reaching regions help early civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Babylonia, and Assyria grow and prosper. The advancement in wheel technology often coincides with the various ages (Stone, Bronze) of civilizations (Mesopotamia). During these ages mankind refined uses of elements such as wood, metal, and stone presented people with tools and better ways to perfect necessary items (like the wheel), the progression of wheel technology usually followed those timelines. Later on in history, as civilizations grew and the technology improved, the wheel started to take on a more traditional look and operation. The development of a narrow wheel providing a smoother and more efficient ride for transportation purposes occurred during the emergence of the ancient Egyptian and Greek societies which existed between 2000 and 1000 BC. The improvements and evolution of the wheel during this period of time allowed the Egyptians and Greeks to build faster moving wheel based platforms for transportation and hauling purposes. This technological breakthrough with regard to the wheel allowed both civilizations to dominate their perspective regions of the civilized world, and increased their abilities to advance their cultures past other civilizations of the time. Besides using the wheel for transportation, other uses evolved during this time period as well. An example of this was in ancient Greece where the wheel was used to create the water mill which was would grind grains and rice to produce flour. Water mills are an early example of other uses for the wheel and one that is still in use in areas of the world today. An off-shoot of the water mill was the wind mill which was used for the same purpose. The first wind mills appeared in Persia around 200 A.D.(Wheel).