History

The invention of bearings has no definite time but upon historical founding and evidences, we can say it referred to ancient Rome period, because in 1928 when the “Nemi” lake was drained, 2 ships were found that remains from Great Roman Empire, in one of them there was a ball bearing that has a wooden support and bronze balls and its shape has been very similar to the modern ball bearings. Probably these ball bearings had been put under a large statue for moving it.

1500 years later, Leonardo da Vinci, Italianphilosopher andmathematician study and investigated on rolling bearings which the primary ball bearing was made upon mentioned investigations and it can be said that there was not provided any actions to complete and make the bearings until end of 19^th century and invention time of bicycle, sewing machine, steam engine, textile machineries, and etc… .

End of 19^th century, by increasing the bicycle industry that was the time for first application of free-friction bearings; therefore, some factories in Germany and England manufactured steel ball bearings and approximately in the same time, ball bearings were made for engineering works in America. Although human knowledge was in primitive level, but the necessity of being some objects which have relevant features and overcome on friction could be felt. Later, ROBERT STRIBECK who was a scientist did a vital research on bearing engineering and at this time, the developing of auto industry was a best field for application of this production. Therefore, during 10 years (1902-1912) more than 7 bearing types were made which today are used, as well. The mass, modern and standard production of bearing was in 1907. In mentioned year, an engineer in a textile company after confronting the problems for production line resulted by bearings’ fracturing because of shaft bending thought about manufacturing a bearing which could aligned itself with shaft bending. The mentioned person was Dr. Sven Wingquist, the founder of Sweden Ball bearing Company who achieved to invent a self-aligning ball bearing. Nowadays, there are various types of bearings in different dimensions which manufactured by different companies all over the world.