Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1822]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1822]

''Treadmills'' as [[power]] sources originated in [[antiquity]]. These ancient [[machines]] came in three major designs. The first was to have a [[horizontal]] bar jutting out of a [[vertical]] shaft. It [[rotated]] around a vertical [[axis]], driven by an ox or other [[animal]] walking in a circle pushing the bar. Even [[humans]] were used to power them. The second design was a vertical [[wheel]] that was powered through climbing in place instead of walking in circles. This is similar to what we know today as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamster_wheel hamster wheel]. The third design also required climbing but used a sloped, moving platform instead.

''Treadmills'' as [[power]] sources originated in [[antiquity]]. These ancient [[machines]] came in three major designs. The first was to have a [[horizontal]] bar jutting out of a [[vertical]] shaft. It [[rotated]] around a vertical [[axis]], driven by an ox or other [[animal]] walking in a circle pushing the bar. Even [[humans]] were used to power them. The second design was a vertical [[wheel]] that was powered through climbing in place instead of walking in circles. This is similar to what we know today as the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamster_wheel hamster wheel]. The third design also required climbing but used a sloped, moving platform instead.

Treadmills as muscle powered engines originated roughly 4,000 years ago. Their primary use was to lift buckets of [[water]]. This same [[technology]] was later adapted to create rotary grain mills and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treadwheel_crane treadwheel crane]. It was also used to pump water and power dough-kneading machines and bellows.

Treadmills as muscle powered engines originated roughly 4,000 years ago. Their primary use was to lift buckets of [[water]]. This same [[technology]] was later adapted to create rotary grain mills and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treadwheel_crane treadwheel crane]. It was also used to pump water and power dough-kneading machines and bellows.

Treadmills for modern [[punishment]] were [[invented]] by In 1818 by an English engineer named [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Cubitt Sir William Cubitt], son of a miller. Noting [[idle]] prisoners [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bury_St_Edmunds Bury St Edmunds] gaol, he proposed using their muscle power to both cure their idleness and produce useful [[work]]. While the [[purpose]] was mainly punitive, the most infamous mill at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brixton_(HM_Prison)#History Brixton Prison] was installed in 1821 and used to grind grain to supplement an existing windmill which Cubitt had previously installed nearby. It gained notoriety both for the [[cruelty]] with which it was used which then became a popular [[satirical]] [[metaphor]].

Treadmills for modern [[punishment]] were [[invented]] by In 1818 by an English engineer named [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Cubitt Sir William Cubitt], son of a miller. Noting [[idle]] prisoners [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bury_St_Edmunds Bury St Edmunds] gaol, he proposed using their muscle power to both cure their idleness and produce useful [[work]]. While the [[purpose]] was mainly punitive, the most infamous mill at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brixton_(HM_Prison)#History Brixton Prison] was installed in 1821 and used to grind grain to supplement an existing windmill which Cubitt had previously installed nearby. It gained notoriety both for the [[cruelty]] with which it was used which then became a popular [[satirical]] [[metaphor]].

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1a :  a mill worked by persons treading on [[steps]] on the [[periphery]] of a wide wheel having a horizontal axis and used formerly in [[prison]] punishment

*1a :  a mill worked by persons treading on [[steps]] on the [[periphery]] of a wide wheel having a horizontal axis and used formerly in [[prison]] punishment

*2:  a wearisome or [[monotonous]] routine resembling continued [[activity]] on a treadmill <the office treadmill>

*2:  a wearisome or [[monotonous]] routine resembling continued [[activity]] on a treadmill <the office treadmill>

==Description==

==Description==

A '''treadmill''' is a device for walking or running while staying in the same place. ''Treadmills'' were introduced before the development of powered [[machines]], to harness the power of [[animals]] or humans to do [[work]], often a type of mill that was operated by a person or animal treading [[steps]] of a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treadwheel treadwheel] to grind grain. In later times treadmills were used as [[punishment]] devices for people sentenced to hard labour in [[prisons]]. The terms treadmill and treadwheel were used interchangeably for the [[power]] and punishment [[mechanisms]].

A '''treadmill''' is a device for walking or running while staying in the same place. ''Treadmills'' were introduced before the development of powered [[machines]], to harness the power of [[animals]] or humans to do [[work]], often a type of mill that was operated by a person or animal treading [[steps]] of a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treadwheel treadwheel] to grind grain. In later times treadmills were used as [[punishment]] devices for people sentenced to hard labour in [[prisons]]. The terms treadmill and treadwheel were used interchangeably for the [[power]] and punishment [[mechanisms]].

More recently treadmills are not used to harness [[power]], but as [[exercise]] machines for running or walking in one place. Rather than the user powering the mill, the machine provides a moving platform with a wide conveyor belt driven by an [[electric]] motor or a flywheel. The belt moves to the rear requiring the user to walk or run at a [[speed]] matching that of the belt. The rate at which the belt moves is the rate of walking or running. Thus, the speed of running may be controlled and measured. The more expensive, heavy-duty versions are motor-driven (usually by an electric motor). The simpler, lighter, and less expensive versions [[passively]] [[resist]] the motion, moving only when walkers push the belt with their feet. The latter are known as manual treadmills.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treadmill]

More recently treadmills are not used to harness [[power]], but as [[exercise]] machines for running or walking in one place. Rather than the user powering the mill, the machine provides a moving platform with a wide conveyor belt driven by an [[electric]] motor or a flywheel. The belt moves to the rear requiring the user to walk or run at a [[speed]] matching that of the belt. The rate at which the belt moves is the rate of walking or running. Thus, the speed of running may be controlled and measured. The more expensive, heavy-duty versions are motor-driven (usually by an electric motor). The simpler, lighter, and less expensive versions [[passively]] [[resist]] the motion, moving only when walkers push the belt with their feet. The latter are known as manual treadmills.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treadmill]

[[Category: History]]

[[Category: History]]