Cultural Observations on the History of Wheels

Since primitive times, mankind has been involved in the field of tribology through the use of sliding, rolling, rotation and similar types of motion. Various devices have been used to perform such motion, and herein I will trace their history from the rollers used in ancient Mesopotamia to aid in pulling sleds to the wheels used on chariots and other vehicles throughout history until modern times, touching on their cultural contributions. I will also describe the role played by rolling bearings, emphasizing in particular the importance of tapered roller bearings to the advance of automobiles during this century.