Wheel's Progression in Time
First: The wheel simply started when early Mesopotamians began putting heavy objects on a roller (log) so they can be moved easily.
Next: They placed runners under heavy loads so it would be easier to drag. This is called a sledge.
Then: The men combined the roller and the sledge. When the sledge moved foward over the first roller the men placed a second roller under the front end to carry the load when it moved off the first roller.
Afterwards: The men realized that the sledge on the rollers became worn out and started cutting into the rollers. These worn out marks were called grooves. After, they discovered that these deep grooves allowed the sledge to move further.
Then: The rollers were changed into wheels. Wood between the grooves of the roller were cut away to form an axle and wooden pegs were fastened to the runners on each side of the axle. When the wheels turned, the axle turned in the space between the pegs. The first wooden cart was made.
Finally: Improvements were made. Instead of using pegs to join the wheel and axle, holes for the axle were drilled through the frame of the cart. The axles and wheels are now seperate.
Advancements: The wheel once again improved when the Egyptians added spokes around 2000 B.C. Around 1500 B.C. Ancient India used chariots with spoked wheels. The Greeks also made improvements in wheels. Later, the Romans used the basic wheel for many other innovations. They include chariots for war, hunting, and racing, two wheel-farm carts, covered carriages, heavy four-wheel freight wagons and passenger coaches.
Next: They placed runners under heavy loads so it would be easier to drag. This is called a sledge.
Then: The men combined the roller and the sledge. When the sledge moved foward over the first roller the men placed a second roller under the front end to carry the load when it moved off the first roller.
Afterwards: The men realized that the sledge on the rollers became worn out and started cutting into the rollers. These worn out marks were called grooves. After, they discovered that these deep grooves allowed the sledge to move further.
Then: The rollers were changed into wheels. Wood between the grooves of the roller were cut away to form an axle and wooden pegs were fastened to the runners on each side of the axle. When the wheels turned, the axle turned in the space between the pegs. The first wooden cart was made.
Finally: Improvements were made. Instead of using pegs to join the wheel and axle, holes for the axle were drilled through the frame of the cart. The axles and wheels are now seperate.
Advancements: The wheel once again improved when the Egyptians added spokes around 2000 B.C. Around 1500 B.C. Ancient India used chariots with spoked wheels. The Greeks also made improvements in wheels. Later, the Romans used the basic wheel for many other innovations. They include chariots for war, hunting, and racing, two wheel-farm carts, covered carriages, heavy four-wheel freight wagons and passenger coaches.
