ME350X_Assignment2_Transportation

Materials Essay

Slide For Life

Ethan Keyser

ME 350X History of Technology

16 October, 2014

H.R. Statement: Yes, I used the online resources cited in my footnotes, as well as library resources.

Throughout history man has survived by his ability to adapt to his surroundings.  One area where we can observe this is in the various methods of transportation that mankind has devised.  Whether it helped him move faster, use less energy, or go places he could not otherwise get to, man’s inventions were always dictated by the climate in which he lived.  One example of such an invention is skis.

Surprisingly, “the ski was invented before the wheel”[1] and it is probable that they evolved from snowshoes.  In fact, the word ski is derived from an ancient northern European word for a sliver of wood.  Later it became the Scandinavian word for shoe.[2] It is not hard to see how over time snowshoes could become used less for standing on the snow and more for sliding over it.   The oldest skis were very large and thick to support the weight of their rider.  Skies were used mostly by hunters who travelled long distances over the frozen ground. There was little change to the  basic design of the ski for thousands of years.  One major development in the technology of skiing was the cambered ski.  Invented in Norway around 1850 [3], by putting a bend in the ski, the woodworkers found that the weight of the rider was better distributed over the entire length of the ski.  This simple change made it possible for skis to be both lighter, and more flexible.  The skis also became easier to ride, and more maneuverable.

The next major development in ski history occurred a few years later when a craftsman made skis that narrowed in the middle. This allowed the skis to carve better and gave more control to the rider.  Skis really began to catch on in the 1900’s when companies started to using materials other than wood to make their skis.  More modern materials such as aluminum and plastic made skies much easier to manufacture.  Skiing soon became a more common pastime.

Skis also have a long history of military use going back to 1200 C.E[4], when the Swedes outfitted their scouts with wooden skies. There are also tales of the heir to the throne of Norway escaping his enemies with the help of skis. During WWII the Finns used skis with their army, which helped them as they battled the Germans.  In modern times, the United States Marine Corp has elements trained in the use of skis for mountain warfare. This longevity of use is a testimony to the usefulness of skis.  Because they allow troops to cover ground much more rapidly then they otherwise could, and are easy to carry when not in use, it is not much of a stretch to assume that skis will continue to be a an important military tool.

Another point worth mentioning is the invention of the ski pole, which many believe to pre-date the ski itself.  Not surprisingly, the ski pole most likely has its origins in the simple walking stick; however, it has remained an important piece of a skiers gear, assisting in cross-country, tight turns, and stopping.  The earliest depictions of skiing all include ski poles. History shows that the ski pole was often combined with another piece of equipment.  Be it a bow, or a spear, combining the two tools helped minimize extraneous gear.

Nowadays, skies are used primarily for recreational purposes.  There are many resorts all over the world, and a plethora of ski related sports (There are six different Olympic events involving skiing[5]).  As ski technology continues to evolve, skiers have more options, and designs to suit there particular needs.  There are skis designed for beginners, skis for going in the terrain park, skis for powder, and skis for ice.  Modern skis are made from a wide range of materials including plywood, steel, aluminum and carbon fiber.  This more modern design has helped skiing to continue to grown in popularity even when other winter sports are declining.  “’Our ski sales have just hammered our snowboards,’ said Mike Murphy…[Employe] at Sportworks in Duxbury, which he manages. ‘For every 25 pair of skis we sell, there’s maybe one snowboard. It used to be 50-50”’[6].  Because skis have become easier for beginners to learn how to use, the sport is continuing to grow.

Some inventions span time.  Many such as fire, the wheel, the bow and arrow and many others continue to be relevant long after they were invented.  This is the case with skis.  Although the materials may have varied over the years, the basic concept is still the same.  Because the concept is so simple and useful, skis will continue to be use both for work and for pleasure.