The Wheel – The Innovation That Drives Us Forward

By Alexandra Sendrea

With the turn of the weather, the rain is relentless against the window of the car, a constant reminder of the inevitable battle we'll face once we open the door. The downpour is no surprise; instead, it acts as an impending doom as the warmth and heat of our bodies becomes no match when the rain soaks every fibre of our clothing, chilling us to the bone. Outside, billowing gusts of wind mixed with water and dirt are flung behind the car’s wheels. Again, and again. The wheel, a simple yet profound invention, spins on until there is no energy or force transmitted through the car’s system.

We have all been cautioned not to “reinvent the wheel”; but this invention is a pivotal part of history having encountered many iterations and prototypes. The wheel plays an essential role in every mode of ground transport from cars to aeroplanes and in our daily life. Consider three everyday items that use wheels. Seems simple, right? We rely on objects like office chairs, shopping trolleys, and suitcases daily. This almost feels like the thought experiment of “how many doors are there in the world?” Wheels are everywhere, but what makes them so enduring?

One of the challenges engineers face is hydroplaning, where a thin layer of water creates a barrier between the wheel and the road. When hydroplaning occurs, the wheel causes the vehicle to lose traction and slide. To prevent this, wheels are rugose to ensure contact, but why is it made from rubber? The material is able to deform slightly under pressure, which in turn increases surface area contact with the road maximising friction even in the harshest conditions such as ice, water and wind.

Picture a race on a hill with someone lying on their back. As you consider your options, you realise it is far easier to roll down the hill than to be dragged down, unless you use a plastic bag to reduce friction. The wheel is essential here, as it shifts the challenge from overcoming static friction to managing rolling resistance, which is much lower. This shift enhances traction and requires less force to move the object, making rolling a more efficient choice.

A satellite constantly changes direction while maintaining a constant speed, much like how a car experiences tangential acceleration when navigating a roundabout. As the vehicle rounds the turn, the wheels can change direction without losing control. Centripetal forces pull the vehicle toward the centre, while friction with the road surface provides the necessary grip to counteract centrifugal force, which could otherwise cause the vehicle to slide outward.

1 As the wheels of a bike spin, they generate a gyroscopic effect. The faster the wheels rotate, the stronger the stabilising force, making it easier to maintain balance and harder to tip over. This effect also helps steer the front wheel in the direction of the lean, as the spinning wheels resist changes in their orientation.

In conclusion, the wheel proves the simplest solution but the most impactful and even though the wheel has evolved from its wooden origins, there is still room for slight adjustments such as sensors for different tractions on certain terrain. Additionally, phone communication could reach new heights, revealing possibilities that only the future can unfold. Imagine the re-invention of glasses, specifically the lenses—possibilities that we may not have considered yet. For instance, lenses could be designed to converge light for the user precisely to ensure optimal focus on the retina.  Who knows?

Bibliography:

1 https://georgeleesye.com/the-effect-of-gyroscopic-precession-on-motorcycle-steering/

Accessed 22nd October 2024.