Molly Ayala
The electric pottery wheel was invented in the 1900s, but the history of the pottery wheel goes back much further. Early forms of the pottery wheel, known as tournettes or slow wheels, first appeared around 4500 BCE in the Near East, and were likely developed from earlier hand-built coiling techniques. The use of the pottery wheel revolutionized pottery production, making it faster and more efficient, and leading to the development of new styles and shapes. Over time, the pottery wheel continued to evolve, with the addition of the kick wheel in the Iron Age, which allowed potters to use both hands to shape the clay by kicking a flywheel to turn the wheel. Eventually, in the 20th century, the electric pottery wheel was invented, further simplifying the process of creating pottery and making it accessible to a wider range of people.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of invention | 1900s |
| Previous methods | Kick wheel, hand-turning, coiling, paddling, shaping |
| Modern features | Variable speed controls, reversible rotation, digital displays, portability, child-friendly designs |
| Modern types | Electric, kick wheel, treadle wheel |
| Use cases | Schools, hobby potters, professionals |
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What You'll Learn
The history of the pottery wheel
The pottery wheel is one of the earliest forms of technology, with a history spanning over 5,000 years. The traditional pottery wheel first appeared in the Sumerian civilization in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) around 4000 BCE, although some sources place the earliest forms of the potter's wheel, known as "tournettes" or "slow wheels", in the Near East around 3500-4500 BCE. The use of the pottery wheel soon spread globally, influencing various cultures and pottery styles.
The earliest forms of the pottery wheel were likely developed as an extension of the original process of hand-building pots, which involved techniques like pinching, coiling, and paddling to shape clay. These early wheels were turned slowly by hand or foot, and while they increased the efficiency of the hand-powered process, they were still awkward to use. In the Iron Age, a significant improvement was made with the addition of a large, heavy flywheel at the bottom of the wheel. This allowed potters to keep the wheel spinning by kicking the flywheel with their foot, freeing up both hands to shape and mould the clay. This type of wheel, known as a kick wheel, remained the main way of making pottery until the invention of the electric wheel in the 1900s.
The electric pottery wheel revolutionized pottery production once again, making it even faster and more efficient. With the electric wheel, potters could create many more pots in less time, and the consistent turning with little effort allowed for more intricate designs. The electric wheel also allowed for reversible rotation, giving potters the option to choose the direction of rotation that best suited their technique, hand dominance, and personal preferences.
Today, modern pottery wheels come in various types to suit different skill levels and needs. While electric wheels are commonly used, especially by craft potters and educational institutions, some potters still prefer the traditional kick wheel for its hands-on feel and the sense of rhythm and balance it provides during the creation process.
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Pre-electric pottery wheels
The potter's wheel is one of the earliest forms of technology, with the first potter's wheel believed to have been developed by the ancient Sumerians in Mesopotamia. A stone potter's wheel discovered in the Sumerian city of Ur in present-day Iraq has been dated to around 3129 BCE. However, some fragments of wheel-thrown pottery found in the same region are believed to be even older.
Before the invention of the potter's wheel, civilisations used techniques such as pinching, coiling, paddling, and shaping to create ceramic forms. The coiling method, in particular, was widely used to create early ceramic ware by hand. This involved rolling clay into long threads, which were then pinched and smoothed together to form the body of a vessel. Potters would place their creations on mats or large leaves, allowing them to rotate the vessel and add coils of clay more conveniently.
In the Iron Age, the commonly used potter's wheel had a turning platform about one metre (3 feet) above the ground, connected to a heavy flywheel at ground level by a long axle. Potters could kick the flywheel to set it in motion, allowing them to use both hands to manipulate the clay while the wheel turned. This type of wheel, known as the kick wheel, remained the primary method of creating pottery until the advent of the electric pottery wheel in the 1900s.
The kick wheel had some ergonomic drawbacks, as sweeping the foot from side to side to maintain the wheel's rotation could be awkward and cause muscle imbalance. To address this issue, an alternative mechanism was devised, employing a crankshaft with a lever that converted up-and-down motion into rotary motion. This innovation allowed for smoother rotation, and it can be found in modern sewing machines as well.
In addition to the kick wheel, another type of manual pottery wheel is the treadle wheel, invented in the early 20th century by Dicon Nance. Unlike the kick wheel, the treadle wheel is operated by a treadle bar that moves the flywheel without requiring the potter to kick it directly. This creates a smooth rotational movement for the wheel head. Despite the advent of electric pottery wheels, some potters still prefer to use manual wheels like the kick wheel and treadle wheel for their unique connection to the rhythm of creation and the silent, "zen" experience they offer.
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The invention of the electric pottery wheel
The earliest form of the pottery wheel was likely the "tournette" or "slow wheel", which was developed around 3500 BCE in the Near East. These early wheels were turned slowly by hand or foot, and while they improved efficiency, they were still limited in their use. The next evolution was the "fast wheel", which was developed in the 3rd millennium BCE. This wheel utilized a heavy stone wheel that was kicked or pushed with a stick, creating centrifugal force and allowing for faster spinning.
Over time, the pottery wheel continued to evolve, with the addition of a crankshaft and lever that converted up-and-down motion into rotary motion. In the Iron Age, the most common wheel had a turning platform about one meter off the ground, connected to a heavy flywheel at ground level. This allowed potters to kick the flywheel with their foot, freeing up both hands to shape the clay. This type of wheel is known as a \"kick wheel\" and is still used by some potters today due to its rhythmic and zen-like qualities.
Finally, in the 1900s, the electric pottery wheel was invented. This revolutionized pottery-making once again, as it provided consistent turning with little effort. Modern electric wheels often feature variable speed controls, reversible rotation, and digital displays. They have become common in schools and among hobbyists, while some professional potters still prefer kick wheels for the control they offer over speed.
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How the electric pottery wheel works
The electric pottery wheel is one of the most significant innovations in the thousands of years since pottery was first practised. The electric wheel was invented in the 1900s, millennia after the first pottery wheels were used in the Near East around 3500 BCE.
The electric pottery wheel is powered by an electric motor, which is the heart of the machine. The motor provides the power to turn the wheel head, which is where the clay is placed and shaped. Electric wheels are made with variable speed control, with most allowing 0 to 240 RPM or higher. Horsepower can range from 1/6 to 1 1/12, which impacts the torque (or power) delivered to the wheel head. Torque also determines how much clay the wheel can handle.
Electric wheels are lighter and more portable than traditional wheels, which used a heavy flywheel. They are also faster and more efficient than manual wheels, and allow potters to produce larger volumes of work. This has given potters greater freedom to share their craft and conduct demonstrations.
Electric wheels are typically controlled through foot pedals, although some models use hand controls. They can be set to rotate in either direction, allowing the potter to choose the direction that works best for their technique, hand dominance and personal preference. Additional parts can be added, such as a shelf for tools, water and sponges. Different heads can also be added to some electric wheels, allowing the potter to continue throwing on a new head while the previous pot dries.
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The impact of the electric pottery wheel
The invention of the electric pottery wheel in the 1900s revolutionized the ancient art of pottery. The electric wheel brought significant advancements in terms of speed, efficiency, and versatility, building on the centuries-old tradition of hand-building pottery with coiling, paddling, and shaping techniques.
One of the most notable impacts of the electric pottery wheel is the increased speed and efficiency it offers. With the electric wheel, potters can produce multiple items per hour, a significant improvement over the time-consuming process of hand-building each piece. This increase in production speed has had economic implications, with the potential for higher sales and industrialization of ceramics.
The electric pottery wheel also provides greater versatility in the pottery-making process. Potters can now easily change the direction of wheel rotation to suit their technique, hand dominance, and personal preferences. Additionally, the ability to add different wheel heads or use bats (small attachments) allows for greater flexibility in the creation process, enabling potters to continue working while previous pieces dry.
The electric pottery wheel has contributed to the evolution of pottery techniques, particularly in the areas of jiggering and jolleying. Jiggering involves using a shaped tool with a rotating plaster mold to create flatware, while jolleying is used for producing hollowware, such as cups and bowls. These techniques have further enhanced the efficiency and precision of pottery-making, allowing for mass production and the duplication of shapes.
While the electric pottery wheel has brought about significant advancements, it is important to note that some potters still prefer the traditional kick wheel or other manual wheels. The kick wheel, with its rhythmic motion and silent operation, offers a more "zen" sense of consciousness for the potter, providing a connection to the ancient art form. Additionally, the feel and noise of the electric wheel's mechanized process may be off-putting to some artisans.
Overall, the electric pottery wheel has had a transformative impact on the ancient craft of pottery, offering increased speed, efficiency, and versatility. While some potters embrace the modern electric wheel, others continue to value the traditional manual wheels, highlighting the diverse approaches and preferences within the world of pottery.
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Frequently asked questions
The electric pottery wheel was invented in the 1900s.
The oldest form of the pottery wheel was the kick wheel, which was invented in 4000 BC in the Sumerian civilization.
The kick wheel has a turning platform about one metre above the ground, connected by a long axle to a heavy flywheel at ground level. Potters kick the flywheel to get it spinning, then use their hands to shape the clay.
The electric pottery wheel spins consistently with little effort, giving potters more control over their work.
There are various types of manual pottery wheels, including the treadle wheel, which is operated by a foot bar, and the crankshaft, which converts up-and-down motion into a rotary motion.
