Invention of the Wheel (c.3500 BCE)

Scholars widely attribute the invention of the wheel to ancient Iraq around 3500 BCE. Its original use was not for transportation, it rather served two primary functions: firstly, as a component of a windlass designed to lift water from wells, waterwheels and secondly, as an integral element in the creation of pottery, pottery wheel. For millennia, the crafting of clay involved manual shaping, either by pressing it into moulds or skilfully manipulating it by hand to achieve the desired forms. Subsequently, the shaped clay was left to dry naturally in the sun or was subjected to firing processes. But the invention of the wheel transformed this extensive hand work in pottery making and the wheel was later advanced to be used for transportation purposes.

Early pottery wheels relied on the coordinated efforts of two individuals: one tasked with the form of the clay while the other managed the rotation of the stone. These wheels initially comprised a horizontal stone disk equipped with an axle and a flywheel. The initial pottery wheels were manipulated using sticks to regulate the spinning motion. Subsequent advancements introduced foot treadles, granting the potter control over the wheel's momentum, thereby eliminating the necessity for a two-person operation. As villages were growing into larger community settlements and cities, more pottery was needed. The potter's wheel allowed potters to create symmetrical and larger vessels more rapidly, resulting in increased productivity and standardised production of pottery items. This technological advancement revolutionised the creation of pottery, making it quicker, more uniform, and scalable, meeting the growing demands of Sumerian society for various domestic, storage, and trade purposes.

The invention of the wheel is considered to be an ingenious human invention. Almost all inventions throughout history were inspired by the natural world, such as aeroplanes from flying birds. But the wheel’s shape, unlike many other inventions, does not mimic any natural form. Instead, it is perceived as a purely human invention, specifically to function as the potter’s wheel.

After the wheel's invention, the two-wheeled chariot became the next step in transportation development. Initially used in royal funerals, it later found adaptation in warfare and racing. Around 3000 BC, the Sumerians pioneered the use of the two-wheeled chariot; heavy vehicles with solid wheels in warfare parades were depicted in the monuments of the two Sumerian cities Ur and Tutub. The chariot became most prominent during the Bronze and Iron Ages; particularly, after the evolution of light and spoked wheels, serving as a key element in sophisticated warfare due to its high manoeuvrability and speed.

The wheel is around us and everywhere; its influence is visible in transportation systems, such as cars, bicycles, trains, and aeroplanes, which rely on wheels for movement. Additionally, industrial machinery, like factory equipment and conveyor belts, utilises wheels for efficient operation. Beyond transportation and machinery, everyday items like shopping carts, wheelbarrows, and office chairs incorporate wheels for ease of movement. While contemporary technology has refined the fundamental design, the foundational principles of the pottery wheel, conceived over 4000 years ago, remain as relevant and functional as ever.

This article was written by Renas Babakir and is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.