Treadmill History: A Great Invention That Has Come a Long Way
Whether it be from Sole or Smooth Fitness or any other home treadmill brand, everyone knows what a treadmill is. It is a piece of equipment used indoors that allows the users to run an equal and opposite speed. Thus the speed of the run can be set and measured. This process can give you a great endurance and cardiovascular workout. It is a fantastic invention, but how did the treadmill come to be a top choice for a workout?
Treadmill History
Human powered treadmills were used in English prisons. In 1817 the idea was introduced, and it was meant to reform the offenders by turning their power for good. Americans caught on, and New York prisons used the human powered treadmill to have offenders grind grain for 10 hours a day.
In 1875, machines were utilized in agriculture. They were called “level power” treadmills, and were built to accommodate different sized animals. The small treadmills were run by dogs and sheep to power butter churners or fanny mills. The larger machines were run by horses to power threshing machines.
In 1952, UW cardiologist Robert Bruce, known as the father of exercise cardiology, and UW staffer Wayne Quinton, invented the first medical treadmill. They developed the standard stress test to diagnose and evaluate heart and lung disease. This test is still used today. The idea was eventually sold to Stairmaster by Quinton.
There are many influential companies when it comes to the evolution of the treadmill.
Aerobics, Inc.
In the 1960’s Bull Staub recognized that treadmills were expensive and were used solely for medical purposes. Staub was a medical engineer and built a treadmill prototype that could be used for physical fitness in the home. Aerobics, Inc. was owned by a doctor, and Staub sent the prototype to the company. The company was so impressed by the prototype that it sold the first 100 treadmills to referrals of the company. In 1968, Aerobics, Inc. began mass production of the PaceMaster.
Tunturi
Founded in 1922, Tunturi is credited to have been the first physical fitness equipment business because of its W1 exercise bike. The company is based in Finland, and they are manufacturers of fitness equipment like exercise bikes, steppers, and rowers.
Interestingly, NASA uses treadmills onboard Skylab to keep astronauts in good shape, despite the gravity free environment. The first treadmill used in outer space was a simple Teflon-coated plate that enabled the feet to slide as the astronaut ran in place with bungee cords.
The machine that shapes your body and strengthens your heart has an interesting history. While it started as an innovative machine that allowed farmers to get their work done quickly and efficiently, today the home treadmill is an indispensable equipment for keeping fit and healthy.
