Individual Project: Wheels (Simple Machine)
Al Francis Masallo

2013-10197

“Mother of All Inventions”

One of the main problems during the ancient times was the inability of people to move and to carry massive objects without exerting too much effort and time. Even with a number of people, pushing a chunk of rock using bare hands would be totally impossible. What eliminated this difficulty was the creation of simple machines, such as lever, inclined plane, and wedge. Despite these innovations that helped people on their daily tasks, it was clearly not enough. These so-called machines can only generate ten (10) to twenty (20) times the exerted force (Anderson 1914). What changed everything was actually the creation of wheel and axle, commonly known as wheels (simple machine). But what made wheel so special? This simple machine, as defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary, is a mechanical device consisting of a grooved wheel turned by a cord or chain with a rigidly attached axle as for winding up a weight. It can generally multiply the exerted force up to 40 times depending on the size and objects used (Anderson 1914). But today, technology has provided us more complex machines capable of increasing the exerted force more than 100 times. This raises the question “What is with wheel that it was considered to be the greatest invention of all time?”

The first characteristic of wheels is that, among the simple machines, it is the greatest multiplier of force. Aside from multiplying force, wheels dramatically reduces the force resisting the relative motion of solid surfaces when sliding against each other, also known as friction (Chiu 2010). So, when you want to move an object by either pushing or pulling it, putting them in a container with wheels, such as push carts, will lessen your work. In addition to this characteristic, wheels can be especially designed to incorporate new functions. For instance, a water wheel is a machine utilizing the free energy coming from flowing or falling water to create power by means of a set of paddles attached around a wheel (About.com). This type of wheel is also used to help in irrigation

The next and more important characteristic of wheels is that it can be attached to different objects, expanding it applications. For example, ergonomically designed wheels grouped together are the main components of a clock, an invention that gave us a clearer concept of time. Another example is that wheels combined with other mechanical tools are the primary reason for the creation of train and steam engine, important inventions considered to be the initiators of change in the world.  As some say, “put a railway station and you’ll turn a dead land into a city”. Another by-product of this simple machine is the automobile. Automobile raised the bar in what people know as transportation. It enabled people to travel and to interact with others.

In conclusion, the reason why ‘wheel and axle’ is considered to be the best invention of all time is because it is a great multiplier of force, minimizing our effort and maximizing our time.  Furthermore, its nature of being a simple machine makes it easier for people to use it in creating more complex machines such as steam engine, automobile, and turbine engines. (Paul, 2005) The concept of wheels is the main inspiration of scientists in modelling new inventions that could, just like any other invention, change our way of living. Definitely, its flexibility gives wheel and axle the right to be called mother of inventions.

 

 

***The following pictures show some application of wheel and how it is considered to be mother of all inventions. Disclaimer: Please do note that these pictures are taken from the internet. They are used only to illustrate the idea and not for any profit-related purposes. If one of the pictures is yours, kindly contact the facilitator of this blog to cite it properly

 

 

Steam Engine

 

Water Wheel

 

Turbine

Automobile

 

Door knob

Clock parts



 

References:  

1. Anderson, William Ballantyne (1914). Physics for Technical Students: Mechanics and Heat. New York, USA: McGraw Hill.

2. Chiu, Y. C. (2010). An introduction to the History of Project Management, Delft: Eburon Academic Publishers

3. Paul, Akshoy; Roy, Pijush; Mukherjee, Sanchayan (2005). Mechanical sciences: engineering mechanics and strength of materials, Prentice Hall of India

4. Bellis, Mary.Waterwheel. About.com. http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blwaterwheel.htm