Wheels

Description

Wheels

Cars, cogs, carousels and other things that spin

Words by Tracey Turner, art by Fatti Burke

(Kingfisher)

It’s difficult to consider a world without Wheels. However, they have not always been around. Furthermore there are not many in the ‘natural world to give people the idea’. Therefore, who ever invented the disc with the hole and circle with the axle is very clever. Tracey Turner contemplates the wheel in its incarnation in this fascinating title. Thereafter, we begin with this form in the pottery studio, where huge great pots have been formed for more than 2000 years.

We consider life before the wheel, when everything was hauled. Is it possible that moving freight over logs inspired the invention?

Spokes within a wheel meant faster motion, such as employed by chariots, while waterwheels were first invented more than 2300 years ago, harnessing ‘the power of flowing water to do all sorts of useful jobs’.

This book is organised accessibly and fluently. Furthermore, the information is engaging. Fatti Burke’s anecdotal asides are interesting and amusing. Tillers were used in the first cars until it was realised that there was a faster method available for steering! What a lot to learn and share!