The History of the Treadmill

Today, the treadmill is known as an exercise machine for running or walking while staying in one place. However, curiously enough, treadmills were not invented for exercise.

  1. In Prisons

    • A predecessor of the modern treadmill was invented by Englishman Sir William Cubitt (1785-1861). Displeased with the idleness of prisoners, he devised a giant wheel powered by human feet for them to use in grinding grain. Prisons in England and the United States soon adopted this device.

    In Farms

    • Another predecessor of the treadmill was invented in the late 19th century. Of giant size like the ones used in the prisons, it was used to harness farm animals like horses to operate butter churns or water pumps.

    In Factories

    • At the beginning of the 20th century, versions of these devices showed up in factories, moving parts from one area of the workplace to the other via conveyor belts. These machines hastened the manufacturing process.

    As Stress Test

    • It was American cardiologist Robert A. Bruce (1918-2004) who promoted the idea of using the treadmill as an exercise device. Bruce had people walk on conveyor belts, and he monitored their hearts as they increased speed.

    As Exercise Machine

    • By the 1960s, treadmills were already appearing in gyms and households as exercise equipment. With advancing technology, treadmills have grown more refined and sophisticated, although their basic functions still remain the same.