When was the wheel invented?

I would like to use this thread to test peoples abilities to share information on a level playing field. Information based on INVENTIONS THAT WERE GROUND BREAKING and that changed the way humans lived since the item was created.

Maybe we can start with auto history. It would be great to have debates on who the inventor was and the original intended use for the particular item.

Only ground breaking inventions - no informercial, pet rock, clap on/clap off stuff. Just plain old hardcore practical products.

The wheel - 4000 years before common era (BCE)

 

I would like to recognize the transistor as one of the most important inventions of all time. The idea was conceived on paper in the 1920's but the first prototype was actually built in 1947. The transistor is responsible for technology as it is today.

 

Al Gore invented the wheel just before he invented the internet. Early 90's, I think.

 

No silly. It was Dono. 9 Million B.C. Or something like that....

 

First steering wheel on a car = 1904 Packard (cars used tillers originally)

First H slot gearshift = 1905 Packard

First use of an L/H outside mirror ~ by Ray Harroon at the Indianapolis 500 = 1911 (he won)

First self starter = 1912 Cadillac

First L head V8 engine = 1915 Cadillac & Cole

First push button (manual) transmission = 1915 Premiere

First V12 engine = 1915 Packard

First Straight 8 engine = 1921 Packard

First 4 wheel brakes = 1924 Rickenbacker

First enamel paint = 1924 Oldsmobile (Duco-by DuPont) previously, cars were varnished!

First chrome plating = 1925 Oldsmobile

First 'hydraulic' brakes 1925 Stutz-discontinued shortly after introduction-Stutz used water!

First front wheel drive = 1929 Ruxton / 1929 Cord L29

First V16 (OHV) engine = 1930 Cadillac

First push button "one shot" lubrication = 1931 Packard (made by Bijiu) Edsel revived this oddity in 1958.

First "low cost" L head V8 = 1932 Ford "The Deuce"

First rubber motor mounts = 1932 Chrysler products = called "Floating Power"

First "self shifter" transmission = 1932 Reo

First in-dash radio = 1933 Packard

First all steel bodies = 1935 GM ~ called "Turret Top"

First diesel powered Indy cars = 1935 by Clessie Cummins

First fresh air heater = 1937 Nash "Weathereye"

First "pre-select" 4 speed gearbox = 1937 Cord 810

First L head V16 engine = 1938 Cadillac

First semi-automatic transmission = 1938 Buick

First fully automatic transmission = 1940 Oldsmobile ~ Hydramatic

First A/C = 1940 Packard

First power windows/seats = 1941 Packard

First OHV V8 = 1949 Cadillac (Olds-one month later)

First power steering = 1951 Chrysler

First power brakes = 1951 Cadillac/Olds/Buick

First torsion bar suspension (front & rear) = 1955 Packard

First push button automatic transmission = 1956 Packard

First Limited Slip rear end = 1956 Packard "Twin Traction" (supplied by Spicer)

First air suspension = 1957 Cadillac El Dorado Brougham

 

Well thats every thing, I quess this one is finish. thanks NumberDummy...lol

 

Where are the Ford "firsts"?

 

First rudimentary computers: The TDC (torpedo data control) system used on 1930's and later US submarines.

First computer: Developed by the British code breakers of Bletchley Park, England during WWII.

The system was HUGE, over 10 feet long, 6 feet high.

The system used 100's of vacuum tubes.

 

1) First car that many people could afford...the Model T. Put North America on wheels. My Father's first car in 1936. Started the whole move with the everyman traveling, motor hotels sprung up to accommodate the new found traveling of masses...suburbs became more popular as easier for people to travel. 2)First powerful engine (flattie V8) for the masses...in 1932. Power used to be something that only those with bucks could afford....if they wanted new. 3) First farm tractor with 3 point hitch..the Fordson, Ford tractor. Ferguson developed this and Ford put it on their tractor. It was safer than hitches that were out there before and eventually was adopted by all tractor makers. 4) Making the model T was good money, first use of assembly line that took industry -world wide, by storm. # 1 and # 3 are especially significant.

 

I invented the Underhood Light in 1967 and submitted it to GM who used it in 1968.

 

Did/do you get any royalties.

 

This is the kind of information that needs to be kept on FTE.

 

No but they sent me a nice letter thanking me for what they though was a great idea.

I stumbled across it when I put purple sex lights in my 52 Austin on switch.
Then I got the idea for doing the trunk and engine compartment as well with clear lenses.

 

Nikola Tesla... February 1882,

AC Induction motor, and the Polyphase System for Generation, Transmission, distribution and the use of Alternating Current.

Nikola Tesla ... 1891

The Tesla Coil ......... fluorescent light , laser beam, wireless communications, wireless transmission of electrical energy, remote control, robotics, Tesla’s turbines and vertical take off aircraft. Tesla is the father of the radio and the modern electrical transmissions systems. over 700 patents worldwide.

 

Birth control pills. Though it is obvious that in regards to some individuals...it was not very effective.