It is not known for sure when the early simple machines were invented. Origin of the pulley is unknown. People a long time ago began lifting objects by throwing ropes or vines over something that was high up. It is thought that in 1500 BC people from Mesopotamia used rope pulleys for getting water.
Wheel and axle may have been used as early as 3500 BC. Around 3700 BC wheels were being made by people in Central Asia. The Chinese are given credit for the invention of the wheelbarrow around 100 AD. The wheelbarrow is a second class lever but also has a wheel and axle.
Archimedes gave the first description of the lever around 260 BC. Ancient Romans made the first simple catapult. Scissors were made in Rome around 100 AD. Inclined planes were first explained by Archimedes about 250 BC.
Around 2.6 million years ago, people in Africa used hand axes made with stone. In 400 BC screw thread was invented by Archytas of Tarentum. He lived from 428 BC until 350 BC. In 700 BC an Assyrian king named Sennacherib is said to have made a type of screw.
Wheel and axle may have been used as early as 3500 BC. Around 3700 BC wheels were being made by people in Central Asia. The Chinese are given credit for the invention of the wheelbarrow around 100 AD. The wheelbarrow is a second class lever but also has a wheel and axle.
Archimedes gave the first description of the lever around 260 BC. Ancient Romans made the first simple catapult. Scissors were made in Rome around 100 AD. Inclined planes were first explained by Archimedes about 250 BC.
Around 2.6 million years ago, people in Africa used hand axes made with stone. In 400 BC screw thread was invented by Archytas of Tarentum. He lived from 428 BC until 350 BC. In 700 BC an Assyrian king named Sennacherib is said to have made a type of screw.