Bearings
History of bearings
The origin of bearings
Around the year 1500, Leonardo da Vinci designed an early version of the ball bearing. His design consisted of a sliding ring with eight smooth balls that moved freely, intended to reduce friction between two poles. This invention was intended for his helicopter project and is considered one of the first attempts to minimize friction in mechanical systems.
John Harrison and the first practical application of ball bearings
Between 1740 and 1750, English clockmaker John Harrison developed a useful ball bearing for his H3 marine chronometer. This clock was designed to allow accurate time measurements at sea, which was essential for determining longitude during long sea voyages. Harrison's invention is considered an important milestone in the history of bearings.
The industrial revolution
During the industrial revolution, the demand for reliable bearings increased, especially with the rise of engines and the automobile industry. In 1907, Swedish engineer Sven Wingquist founded Svenska Kullagerfabriken (SKF) after obtaining a patent for a self-aligning double-row ball bearing. This invention led to SKF's rapid growth and contributed to the standardization of bearings worldwide.
Modern standards
Today, bearings are standardized according to international forms such as ISO, DIN (Germany), AFBMA (USA) and JIS (Japan). This standardization ensures interchangeability and consistency in quality and performance, regardless of manufacturer. Bearings are now essential in a variety of industries, from automotive to aerospace.