Innovation No. 23 of 77 in the book
Shock Absorbers
Leather suspension made chariot rides smoother
- When
- c. 1323 BCE
- Dynasty
- 18th Dynasty
- Era
- New Kingdom
The chariots buried with Tutankhamun, who died around 1323 BCE, were built with the world’s first suspension system.
Egyptian wheelwrights sprang the cab on a flexible platform of leather and bent wood, and set the axle right at the back so the rider stood over the springiest part.
It soaked up the shock of rough ground at speed — the same job the coils and dampers under your car do now.
The idea of cushioning a ride from the bumps in the road was born on an Egyptian battlefield.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the earliest archaeological evidence for shock absorbers in ancient Egypt?
The earliest confirmed evidence dates to approximately 1323 BCE during Egypt's New Kingdom (18th Dynasty). The chariots buried with Tutankhamun, who died around 1323 BCE, were built with the world’s first suspension system.
How did ancient Egyptians develop shock absorbers, and what is its legacy?
Egyptian wheelwrights sprang the cab on a flexible platform of leather and bent wood, and set the axle right at the back so the rider stood over the springiest part. Egyptian wheelwrights sprang the cab on a flexible platform of leather and bent wood, and set the axle right at the back so the rider stood over the springiest part. The idea of cushioning a ride from the bumps in the road was born on an Egyptian battlefield.