A wheel is a circular shaped disc or cylinder that rotates on an axle. The invention of the wheel has made moving heavy objects much easier and faster.
Early humans realized that round objects move more easily when they are rolled and the next step came using cylindrical rollers under objects. Archeologists believe that log rollers were used to move some of the heavy stones needed to build the Temple of Angkor Wat, in what is now Cambodia. It is from these log rollers that scientists believed humans developed the wheel.
The wheel is a disc which can move freely while still attached to an axle. The wheel and axle is one of the six simple machines. Interestingly, humans had made a number of other inventions, like sailboats, before inventing the simple wheel. This is due to high technical ability needed to create perfectly round parts needed to make a wheel and axle.
Wheels work by reducing the friction force associated with dragging an object. The wheel is a very important invention, but we have no idea who invented it. There is a lot of debate as to where and when the wheel was invented. Some of the earliest wheels ever found were believed not to have been used for transportation, but as a potter’s wheel. The first records of the wheel being used for transportation came approximately 300 years after the potter’s wheel. The first wheels were believed to have been made from single pieces of wood. Over time the design has been improved and refined to the wheels we know today. Wheels have revolutionized the way early humans could travel and transport goods, stimulating trade and settlement expansion. Just about every modern method of transportation requires wheels, trains and cars are the most obvious, but even planes require wheels to fly.
Create your own Storyboard
Try it for Free!Create your own Storyboard
Try it for Free!Different Uses for the Wheel
- Carts
- Making Pottery
- Pulleys
- Flywheel
- Steering wheel
- Bicycles
- Lawnmowers
- Film Projectors
How Tos about The Invention of the Wheel
How can I create a hands-on classroom activity to teach students about wheels?
Gather simple materials: Collect items like bottle caps, cardboard circles, pencils, or toy wheels to use as models. Hands-on materials make the concept tangible for students.
Explain the basic function of a wheel using visual aids.
Show pictures and diagrams: Display images of wheels used in daily life, such as bikes, cars, and carts. Visuals help students understand how wheels reduce friction and aid movement.
Guide students in building a simple wheel-and-axle model.
Demonstrate assembly: Have students attach a round object to a straight stick or straw, then roll it across a surface. This helps students see how wheels work in real life.
Encourage students to brainstorm where wheels are used in their environment.
Lead a discussion: Ask students to share examples of wheels they see at home, school, or outside. This connects the lesson to everyday life and deepens understanding.
Assess student understanding with a quick demonstration or quiz.
Review key concepts: Let students explain how wheels help objects move, or have them draw and label a simple wheel system. Assessment reinforces learning and gives feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Invention of the Wheel
What is a wheel and how does it work?
A wheel is a circular object that rotates around an axis, allowing vehicles and machines to move more easily by reducing friction. Wheels work by rolling, which makes it easier to transport heavy loads over distances.
Why are wheels important in everyday life?
Wheels are essential because they help us move objects, travel, and transport goods efficiently. They are used in cars, bikes, buses, and many tools, making daily tasks faster and easier.
Who invented the wheel and when?
The wheel was invented over 5,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia. Its exact inventor is unknown, but it is considered one of the most important inventions in human history.
What are some examples of wheels used today?
Examples of wheels today include car tires, bicycle wheels, roller skates, suitcase wheels, and gears in machines. These help with movement, transportation, and mechanical tasks.
How do wheels help reduce friction?
Wheels reduce friction by rolling instead of sliding, making it much easier to move objects. This simple innovation allows for smoother and more efficient transportation.
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office