''Ball Bearing'' (Industry)

Ball bearings were a crucial invention in the history of Industry. First developed in Persia in the mid-fourteenth century, ball bearings enabled significant improvements in the design and capacity of early industrial machinery, most notably Watermills and presses.

Origins in medieval Persia

The invention of the ball bearing can be attributed to the genius of Persian engineers and mathematicians in the late Middle Ages. In Iran and neighboring regions, a community of inventors and scholars began developing practical applications for friction reduction, which led to the concept of the ball bearing. This tiny mechanical device involves two concentric rings containing a series of small, metal balls that rotate freely within a set of races.

Early applications in watermills and presses

Early efforts to implement ball bearings in Persian watermills and presses proved to be highly successful. The most common type of watermill found in medieval Persia was the horizontal wheel, and the addition of ball bearings reduced friction and resistance, greatly increasing their efficiency. Increased efficiency meant that even simple [pres]ses could now be powered using smaller watermills, while larger, more complex presses could be built for tasks such as extracting oil from olives and sesame seeds.

By the early 15th century, the use of ball bearings in mill construction was widespread throughout Persia, with evidence suggesting that they were used in numerous different types of industrial and agricultural machinery.

Improving mill design and capacity

The application of ball bearings meant that, for the first time, Persian engineers were able to build vertical water wheels, leading to monumental leaps in productivity and efficiency. With the ability to harness the power of vertical wheels, mills could be built closer together, thereby creating industrial hubs that could process far greater quantities of grain and other materials.

The increased capacity of these new mills quickly led to the expansion of food production, facilitating urbanization and economic growth in Persia. This new technology also spread to other industries, where its benefits continued to be realized.

Expanding industrialization and trade

The impact of ball bearings on the industrial landscape of medieval Persia enabled extensive trade expansion across the region, as Persian goods reached markets near and far. The efficiency gained from the use of ball bearings in watermills, as well as the increased output of textiles and other goods, spurred an increase in exports, creating prosperity and economic stability.

Trade networks increasingly spread across central and western Asia, eventually reaching Europe via the Silk Road. Persian technologies made their way into European factories, contributing to a larger process of Western industrialization in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Impact on global economy and society

The development of ball bearings and its impact on Persian industrialization marked a significant milestone in the history of industry. This early phase of industrialization in the Middle East helped shape the global economy and society, creating new industries, increasing productivity, and spurring economic growth around the world. The advances of Persian engineers continue to resonate today, with ball bearing-assisted machinery remaining integral to countless industries.