Name:
Transport on Land
The History of the wheel
Around 10 000 BC, ancient man moved
heavy loads using rollers made of logs. Logs
were often uneven and different sizes, so
this method was very difficult and took a
lot of time to use. Made from stone in 3500
BC, the potter’s wheel was used to shape
clay to make vessels to store and transport
water and food.
In 2500 BC the people of ancient Iraq, in the Middle East, invented chariots using
wheel discs made from wood, and axels. By 1323 BC, the wheel disc was improved
with the addition of breaks. The wheels were also made lighter so that horses could
pull carts and chariots.
The Irish added iron frames to the edges of the wooden disc wheels in 750 BC, so
that they would last longer and become less damaged. Around 100 BC, the Chinese
invented the wheelbarrow. Although as easy to push.
The hardened rubber car tyre was invented in 1845 and is probably the biggest
development in the history of the wheel. Charles Goodyear invented hardened
rubber which Robert Thomson used to make the pneumatic tyre, a rubber tyre that
was filled with air.
In 1848, the Mansell wheel was developed specifically tp ne used on trains. This wheel
had a core of steel and was surrounded by oak wood. In 1915 Arthur Savage invented
the radial car tyre, which was made from rubber coated steel. This tyre remains the
standard tyre used on most cars today.
Since 2010, modern wheels are now designed using a variety of materials such as
carbon, magnesium, titanium and aluminium. Each wheel is made specifically to the
vehicle’s requirements.
Adapted from https://ungo.com.tr/en/2019/08/how-the-wheel-was-invented-and-developed
© e-classroom
www.e-academyonline.co.za
www.e-classroom.co.za
Using the information provided, complete the timeline of the history of the
wheel.
© e-classroom
www.e-academyonline.co.za
www.e-classroom.co.za