Evolution of the WheelThe wheel is a well-known

invention used every day to help people

meet their needs for transport.

Unfortunately, we have no way of

knowing who first developed it. However,

evidence indicates that the wheel was

created in around 3500 B.C in

Mesopotamia to assist potters in moving

their pots. 300 years later, they were

used for chariots, carriages or wagons to

carry goods or people more quickly and

easily.

The figure above illustrates how the wheel was invented. Firstly, early

Homo Sapiens realized that round objects could be easily moved by rolling.

Then, this rolling technique was used for the transportation of large objects on

cylindrical logs. As time went by, people created an early form of the wheel

made from stone which was connected to a shaft or axle. They put loads on it

and used some cattle to pull it. When the axle was pulled or pushed, the wheel

started to rotate and the loads were moved. After that, the wheel developed

the spoked-wheel used in chariot racing. These allowed chariots to move much

faster. The invention of air filled rubber tires allowed wheels to be much faster,

sturdier and stronger, which has redefined transportation as we find it today.Nowadays, wheels are found in all forms of transportation, such as in

cars, motorbikes, airplanes, industries, medical researches, electric motors and

so on. Thus, although the wheel started out as a simple invention to make life a

bit easier, it is now completely indispensible.

question:
1. When was the wheel probably first used?
2. What could be done to rotate the wheel?
3. Describe briefly how the wheel was invented and changed over time in your own words!
4. Mention some types of vehicles that use wheels!
5. Do you think that wheel will change in the future? Explain!
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