An early form of suspension on ox-drawn
carts had the platform swing on iron chains attached to the wheeled
frame of the carriage. This system remained the basis for all suspension
systems until the turn of the 19th century, although the iron chains
were replaced with the use of leather straps in the 17th century. No
modern automobiles use the 'strap suspension' system.
Automobiles were initially developed as self-propelled versions of
horse-drawn vehicles. However, horse-drawn vehicles had been designed
for relatively slow speeds, and their suspension was not well suited to
the higher speeds permitted by the internal combustion engine.
end partial quote from:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspension_%28vehicle%29#Difference_between_rear_suspension_and_front_suspension
So, likely first suspending the cart from the axle and wheel by chains allowed some of the shocks and concussions of roads and ruts and bumps become more acceptable and less breaking the bones and shedding of the loads carried wherever one might go. However, over time this evolved I guess into leather straps and then into leaf Springs and then finally with shock absorbers to literally absorb the shocks. Then onto Air shocks which literally can make cars or trucks jump pneumatically. However, it all started with Ox Carts with iron chains absorbing and moving some of the shocks away so they didn't lose loads. The Ox Cart driver might always stand up like motorcyclists used to and often still do while they stand on their motorcycle pegs so they won't break their backs or damage their livers over some of the worst bumps. But, loads on a 4 wheel or 2 wheel ox cart can be lost without either chains or leather straps to move the stresses away from the loads carried.
As suspension got better people could go over unbelievable terrain pretty fast on motorcycles and sometimes cars and trucks too, until today when things are much much different than in the ox cart days both in design, survivability and speed.
No comments:
Post a Comment