where ther`s a wheel there`s a way.

[neptune]

I watched a programme last night , Starring Tony Robinson [aka Baldric] about the worst jobs in the world. One of the jobs featured was that of Sedan Chair Carrier. For those who do not know, a sedan chair is like a small coach without wheels. It has wheelbarrow type handles back and front, and a fare paying Toff inside. The carriers have shoulder straps to carry part of the weight.
These became common on the streets about the fifteenth century. The thing that puzzled me, was why not fit two wheels to the thing to carry most of the weight. Such wheels would have been available at the time, but would have been heavy and expensive, Nevertheless, as these chairs were owner operated, the expense could have been justified. Wheelbarrows were in use at the time. Making wheels was a trade on its own, as in being a wheelwright. Why did it take three centuries for such wheels to be used for human powered transport? Even in ancient times, the Chinese had passenger carrying wheelbarrows designed for up to six passengers.

 

[flecc]

The only reason I can think of for not having wheels is the road surfaces at that time, either large cobblestones or badly rutted and potholed surfaces. These would make for great discomfort for the passenger directly above as the wheels bumped over them.

 

[Old_Dave]

+1 with flecc... It's the ruts

Also a lack of coil spring suspension and oil / air assisted shock dampers showed that the 4 arm comfort control was the current / best technology


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[neptune]

OK. Point taken about poor road surfaces. By the early eighteenth century, horse drawn carriages had primitive suspension, in the form of simple leaf springs. so wheeled , sprung sedan chairs would have been possible by that time, but for whatever reason, they never appeared. I have seen pictures of the early type of wooden spoked wheels, applied to various vehicles, including early bone shaker type bikes, and even a wheelchair. The wire spoked wheel with its lightness and strength changed everything, as did the pneumatic tyre. Then of course, the cost of labour comes into the equation. A chair with two operators may well have been cheaper than a chair with wheels and one operator. I suppose the ultimate development of the sedan chair was the rickshaw.