The History of Hydraulics
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines hydraulics as "a branch of science that deals primarily with practical applications of liquid in motion." This science has played a crucial role in the development of modern day society, especially in the area of transportation.
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Early History
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While some historians may argue for the presence of crude hydraulic inventions earlier in history, the documented history of hydraulics began in 1785 when two men began working hydraulic inventions. The first---William Armstrong---noticed the energy wasted by the water wheel and set out to improve it. His contemporary, Joseph Bramah, obtained a patent for a hydraulic press a few years later.
Greater Demand
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The science of hydraulics remained relatively undeveloped until after the American Great Depression. As industries and consumers demanded stronger, more powerful vehicles, an employee of Muncie Power Products named Hamer Shafer began testing the effectiveness of hydraulics in vehicle engines.
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Shafer and Wagner
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Shafer worked alongside his friend and colleague Bob Wagner. Together they worked on junkyard cars until they developed vehicles that operated on hydraulic pumps. As the design of cars and trucks changed over the years, the use of hydraulic pumps and pistons became a vital part of the vehicle industry.
Hydraulics Today
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As of 2010, hydraulics play an important role today in the function of automobiles, dams, elevators, airplanes, bicycles, trains and machinery. As this science is being fine-tuned, it has developed an increasingly important role in the development of computers and other devices.
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References
- Photo Credit hydraulic lock mechanism image by green308 from Fotolia.com
