The Wheelbarrow

Wheelbarrows were used in ancient China during the Han era, as shown by murals and reliefs found in Hui's brick tomb. However, it is possible to attribute the development of the wheelbarrow to Shu Han's prime minister Zhuge Liang (181–234 AD), who lived between 197 and 234 AD. To transport military equipment and remove wounded and deceased soldiers from the field of battle, Liang invented the wheelbarrow.

The front-wheeled wheelbarrow and the wheelbarrow with a wheel mounted in the middle were the two most prevalent varieties. Because the weight was well divided across the wheels and pullers in the centrally placed design, it didn't take much effort to move the wheelbarrow. Because of how convenient they were to use, builders, soldiers, traders, and farmers were the principal users of these wheelbarrows. Chinese wheelbarrows first appear in drawings from the Han dynasty, which date to around 100 CE. The operator carried about half the weight of these wheelbarrows, which featured a single wheel at the front of the load.

The barrow did not arrive in Europe until the period between 1170 and 1250. At this time, it served a purpose that is more familiar to us today in agriculture: transporting and assisting in the distribution of fertilizer. This was owing to the efficient ease of load at a time when farming was a major industry in Europe and the UK.