African Innovation Beyond The Wheel
MEMBERS & VISITORS:
African Innovation Beyond The Wheel
African Innovation Beyond The Wheel
“Welcome to our special segment at Tharaka Invention Academy, where we dive into the fascinating world of inventions and explore why learning about the history of invention is crucial for our young inventors. Let’s uncover the layers of history and innovation together.”
“Every great invention starts with a foundation of knowledge. By delving into the past, we learn how technologies were born out of necessity and innovation. It’s not just about the ‘what’ and the ‘how,’ but also the ‘why’ behind these groundbreaking ideas.”
“But it’s more than just learning facts. The stories of past inventions are a wellspring of inspiration. Imagine the challenges inventors faced, the obstacles they overcame. This journey through history isn’t just educational; it’s a source of motivation, pushing our young minds to think beyond boundaries.”
“Success and failure are two sides of the same coin in the world of invention. Understanding this through historical contexts teaches our students a valuable lesson: resilience. Each failure is a lesson, a stepping stone to eventual success.”
“Inventions don’t exist in a vacuum. They evolve, influenced by societal needs, scientific breakthroughs, and available resources. By studying these trends, our students are not just learning history; they’re preparing to shape the future.”
“Our academy is about more than just technical skills. It’s about nurturing responsible, ethically aware inventors. The impact of inventions on society and the environment is a critical part of our curriculum. We aim to foster inventors who are not only brilliant but also conscientious.”
“And let’s not forget – invention is a global language. By understanding the diverse origins of inventions, we’re promoting a global perspective, encouraging our students to think big and collaborate across borders.”
“Here at Tharaka Invention Academy, we’re not just teaching invention. We’re inspiring a new generation of innovators, ready to leave their mark on the world. Join us in this exciting journey of discovery and creation.”
At Tharaka Invention Academy this blog post delves into the intriguing question of why sub-Saharan Africa historically did not use the wheel, despite its widespread adoption in other parts of the world. It challenges common misconceptions that this absence was due to a lack of innovation or isolation from global technological advancements. The post highlights the technological prowess of African societies, evidenced by their expertise in textile production, ironwork, and even firearm production. It also notes the extensive trade networks that connected parts of Africa with the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean regions, debunking the idea of African isolation. The discussion then shifts to a broader perspective, questioning the inherent value of the wheel itself and comparing its limited use in other regions, including Europe, where water transport was preferred. The narrative further explores the environmental factors, particularly the prevalence of trypanosomiasis spread by the tsetse fly, which made it impractical to use animals for pulling wagons in many parts of Africa.
We have published other informative posts on Invention School’s website which may interest you. To view our entire catalog of over 900 posts go to inventionschool.tech/category/blog/ or use our handy search tool to find topics of interest to you.
Mechanical/Solar Engineer, Prof. Oku Singer
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