history of bearings

[gearwhine]

I'm in need of information on the history of bearings and how they developed over the years. I really can't find much about this on the internet yet. I am heading to the library later. Anyone have any good sources? Thanks a lot _nicko_

 

[MaXJohnson]

I just tossed ["roller bearing" history] into google and the hits looked pretty promising.
I'd also try ["wheel bearing" history], ["ball bearing" history], etc.

 

[Matthew Currie]

If you can, see if you can find a manual called the "New Departure Handbook." It was published in numerous editions over the years, but I don't know whether it still exists. I have one from 1932 which includes some pretty good history of ball and roller bearings, and how modern bearings were developed. Little has changed since then, it appears.

 

[woody]

Depending how far back ya want to go...look at the history of the 'wheel' & 'axle'

I'd suspect ya find that soon after our proverbial caveman changed a few worn out ones, he remembered how gooey the inside of a fresh mammoth hide was or how slippery/oily the fat within it's flesh was, then :idea: started experimenting with 'servicible' bearings or greasing the existing setup with animal fat.

Modern roller bearings are probably pretty recent (early 20th cen?) but I bet leather bearings lubed with fay grease were used alongside them...maybe still to this day in less industrialized areas?

 

[gearwhine]

Thanks guys, I think I've got enough info for this. I've got brief stuff from centuries ago with the fat oils, and got a little more in depth in the 18th century with wheel bearings first being patented, then the 19th with windmills and bicycles. I also found out in WWII, german bearing manufactureres were a prime spot for our air attacks to cease tank production. neat stuff. Thanks a lot for the help. _nicko_