I imagine they chose the harness because it symbolizes agriculture, and because harnessed plow-animals were in use before the wheel was necessarily at issue. But, that doesn't mean the wheel isn't significant.

Actually, the plow should be on the list, too. One can quibble about the type of harness, as well. The original harnesses worked for oxen, but nsm for horses. It wasn't until they invented the horse collar that agriculture really took off in places where you needed a horse's strength to till the fields.

In a completely different vein, but for those Chicagoans whose interest in local politics is higher than usual following yesterday's primary, there's an entry in the Encyclopedia of Chicago about Chicago's political culture and its history that I found fascinating. I especially liked that the writer highlights the entertainment value political corruption has for Chicago and state residents.

actually the lathe bugs me.

Their whole list bugs me. They should've started with the seven simple machines. Wheel, lever etc.

Printing press definitely belongs. Then something like either the telegraph or telephone.

Between the convoluted logic, the convoluted ideology, and the shitty grammar, that's just jaw-dropping eight ways from Sunday. I'm trying to imagine how one would frame a thoughtful, reasoned response to it, and coming up blank -- it's so twisty and illogical that there isn't even anyplace solid to start from. It's just a squirmy mess.

Actually, oxen are much more strong than horses, and easier feeders as well. What horse-pulling made a big difference for was speed, such as coaches and wagons and sleighs.

the entertainment value political corruption has for Chicago and state residents.

...as well as residents of nearby states.

actually the lathe bugs me.

I think the problem there is the picture they used. Wood lathes, like the one shown, are fine tools for making elegant table legs, but not much that's really vital. Metal lathes, though, make things like screws, which are important.

such as coaches and wagons and sleighs.

And plows.

the lathe bugs me. It is cool, but I'm not really sure how it changes anything.

Well, baseball bats would be pretty funny looking without the lathe. Also, chair legs. Yeah, it's a stretch.

Printing press definitely belongs.

Let's be fair and say "movable type". People have been printing for ever so long, but the idea of taking small pieces of printable stuff and reassembling them over and over in different order to create a larger document -- that's a big deal.

What's a chisel useful for? I mean, besides creating sculpture? And splitting logs, I guess. Seriously, I don't use a chisel in my everyday life, so examples would help.

I'm a bit peeved that "watch" is on there instead of "clock."