By Jim Fitch
Machinery Lubrication Magazine
In the beginning, man invented machines. One of the first machines, and perhaps the most celebrated invention of all time, was the cart or wagon incorporating the wheel. This was soon followed by a chariot. Examples of early chariots were found in the tombs of Yuaa and Thuiu in Egypt dating to 1400 B.C.
Soon it was noticed that the hubs of the wooden wheels used on chariots were becoming charred from frictional heat. It has been speculated that attempts were made to cool the hub with water after races. Eventually, experimentation led to the use of other liquids including olive oil and fats. To their surprise, the Egyptians noticed that some of the more viscous liquids not only dissipated heat but also prevented much of it from forming in the first place. At the same time, they observed that the wheels were turning more freely. Of course, these early discoveries marked the dawn of machinery lubrication.