Let's get physical, physical! And by that I mean let's talk about physical education.
Treadmill: /ˈtredˌmil/ an exercise machine, typically with a continuous belt, that allows one to walk or run in place.
Exercise. Yuck. Does anyone REALLY enjoy using treadmills (or other exercise equipment for that matter)? Whether you're a fan of pumping iron or putting in the work in doing cardio, the treadmill is one of the most famous pieces of exercise equipment out there. Now here's the fun part about the lesson, let's dive into the history of this torturous device, and not actually use them.
History of Treadmills:
We start this lesson going back to 1 A.D. where the Romans were using a precursor of the exercise device. The Romans had a treadwheel, a device that helped with heavy lifting. The wheel was attached to cranes and was powered by humans. By walking around and rotating the wheel, the crane would lift up heavy objects and was roughly 60 times more effective at lifting things than just pure man-powered cranes were. The treadwheel proved to be so effective that it's believe it was used to help build the ancient pyramids in Egypt later on in history.
Treadmills and Prisons:
When most people think of treadmills, they think of the pain and agony they inflict. (Unless you're one of the people that enjoys using them.) That idea was the basis of why treadmills were introduced into prison settings in back in the 1800's. Treadmills for prison use were invented by William Cubitt. Cubitt had a variety of designs for treadmills back in 1818, some resembling more of a Stairmaster approach. He was born into a family of millwrights, and some of his designs resembled water wheels which were used in that profession. Cubitt's most popular design was installed into Brixton Prison in London.
The Brixton design would have prisoners essentially walk in place on a log covered in steps. The log was hooked up to a subterrain system that ground corn as the wheel turned. So prisoners were essentially grind corn as they trudged along. The wheel could hold up to 24 prisoners at a time and they were expected to do such laboring work for up to 10 hours a day in the summer, and 7 hours during the winter months. Either way, it was not a great way to spend your time.
But why did treadmills rise to such prominence in prisons? Well, in the 1800's the monarchy decided to reform prisons. Prior, next to nothing was given to prisoners. Families and friends had to provide prisoners with food and other necessities. People were bribing guards and the whole institution was a mess. So changes were made. The basic necessities were given to prisoners, but fearing that the poor might see this as a way to get free things, they instituted a hard labor policy to try and dissuade people from going to jail willingly. After all, 10 hours of walking in place isn't fun in the hot summer heat.
By 1842, treadmills were being used in 109 of the 200 prisons in Scotland, Wales, and England. But the use of treadmills would be short lived. Years later, the cruelty of treadmills was called into question. Roughly one prisoner a week was dying at the hands of these devices. After a series of prison reform acts, they were slowly removed from detention facilities. By 1895, only 39 were still being used in Britain. By 1901, that number dropped to 13.
Treadmills and Exercise:
While the treadmill seemed to be a thing of the past in prisons, it was about to get a new life in at home fitness. In 1913, a patent was issued for a "training-machine." By the 1960's William Staub started making treadmills for at home use. Staub himself used his own treadmill all the way up until his death at the age of 96. Today, these devices are at the top of the most popular exercise devices sold.