Why reinvent the wheel, Prateek? OMG!”
One fine day, my friend’s friend, a tech stalwart and an alumnus from a renowned organization entered the office one fine morning around 10–11 am. He shared his failures in the tech industry and expressed his belief that it had no scope.
I vividly recall the rational explanations he provided, but his statement, “Why reinvent the wheel, Prateek,” ignited a surge of anger within me. At that moment, I was overwhelmed by the urge to respond impulsively, though I managed to restrain myself.
Instead, I calmly replied, “That’s precisely the point, boss. The wheel always needs reinvention!” Throughout my journey, I have encountered numerous individuals who believe that certain endeavors are already being pursued or lack market potential. However, I firmly believe that there is always a market, and the wheel constantly requires reinvention.
Anyways, let’s actually take an interesting background check available on the internet about our innocent wheel here!
The wheel is arguably one of humanity’s greatest inventions, revolutionizing transportation, machinery, and countless other aspects of our daily lives. Its invention dates back thousands of years, and it has played a pivotal role in shaping civilizations and facilitating progress.
However, over the course of history, various civilizations have independently developed their own versions of the wheel, leading to an intriguing question:
How many times has the wheel been reinvented?
Let’s explore different instances of wheel reinvention throughout history and shed light on the fascinating variations that emerged across cultures.
Origins of the Wheel: The exact origins of the wheel remain shrouded in mystery, but it is believed to have emerged around 3500 BCE in Mesopotamia or the Near East. The earliest wheels were simple wooden discs used as potter’s wheels and in chariots. However, evidence suggests that the wheel may have been invented independently in multiple regions, leading to its diverse development across civilizations.
Ancient Civilizations:
a. Mesopotamia and Sumer: The Mesopotamian civilization, centered in modern-day Iraq, played a significant role in wheel development. They improved upon the initial solid wooden wheel, creating spoked wheels for chariots, which enhanced durability and maneuverability.
b. Egypt: Ancient Egyptians are renowned for their remarkable achievements, and wheel design was no exception. They developed spoked wheels for chariots and carts, which were pivotal in transportation and trade.
c. China: Around 1500 BCE, the Chinese developed wooden spoked wheels used in chariots and farming carts. They also invented the differential gear, allowing wheels on the same axle to rotate at different speeds, a significant advancement in transportation technology.
Pre-Columbian America: Contrary to popular belief, the wheel was not widely utilized in pre-Columbian America. While several civilizations, such as the Olmecs and the Mayans, had knowledge of the wheel, they primarily used it for toys, pottery, or other non-transportation purposes. The lack of large domesticated animals suitable for pulling wheeled vehicles limited its adoption for transportation.
Medieval Europe: After the fall of the Roman Empire, the use of the wheel declined in Europe, and various forms of transportation, such as sledges and carriages, became more prevalent. However, this period witnessed innovative advancements in the development of water wheels and windmills, demonstrating that wheel technology was not stagnant.
Rediscovery in the Americas: When Europeans arrived in the Americas during the 15th century, they reintroduced the wheel to the indigenous peoples. This reintroduction led to the adoption of wheeled vehicles for transportation and revolutionized agriculture and trade in the region.
Industrial Revolution and Beyond: The Industrial Revolution marked a significant turning point in wheel technology. The emergence of steam-powered machinery, railways, and automobiles led to advancements in wheel design and manufacturing techniques. From solid metal wheels to pneumatic tires, the wheel underwent continuous refinement, improving performance and efficiency.
The wheel has been reinvented multiple times throughout history, with various civilizations independently developing their own versions. From its humble beginnings as a wooden disc to its transformation into sophisticated spoked wheels, the wheel has played a fundamental role in human progress.
Each reinvention and modification has contributed to its diverse forms and applications across cultures. Today, the wheel continues to evolve with technological advancements, enhancing mobility and shaping the world we live in.
Now that is interesting! Isn’t it?
Throughout our conversation, thoughts of the once-beloved Nokia kept crossing my mind, serving as a stark reminder of what ultimately transpired for the company. The wheel went old I guess!
Just cannot help it! Let’s do the Nokia wheel now
Just as the wheel has undergone numerous reinventions throughout history, the story of Nokia phones showcases a parallel evolution, innovation, and eventual decline. In this blog post, we will explore the analogy between the development of wheels and the rise and fall of Nokia phones, shedding light on the similarities and lessons learned from both.
Early Days: Wheel Invention and Nokia’s Beginnings The wheel’s early iterations were simple wooden discs, much like Nokia’s initial phones that focused on basic functionality. Both the wheel and Nokia phones started with a solid foundation, providing reliable performance and meeting the needs of their respective eras.
Innovation and Expansion:
As civilizations advanced, the wheel evolved with the introduction of spokes, enhancing durability and maneuverability. Similarly, Nokia embarked on a journey of innovation, expanding its phone offerings with groundbreaking features like durable hardware, long battery life, and user-friendly interfaces.
The Chinese invention of spoked wheels and differential gear allowed for increased transportation efficiency. Similarly, Nokia pioneered advancements in mobile technology, introducing compact designs, color displays, and iconic features such as customizable ringtones and the legendary game, Snake.
Dominance and Global Reach: As the wheel’s design spread across civilizations, it became a universal symbol of progress, enabling trade, exploration, and connectivity. Similarly, Nokia phones gained widespread popularity, becoming a global brand known for their reliability, user-friendly interface, and robust network coverage.
Wheel: The Industrial Revolution propelled the wheel into new realms, powering machinery, railways, and automobiles. In a similar vein, Nokia expanded its product range to include smartphones, adapting to the changing technological landscape and capturing a significant market share.
Challenges and Decline: With the advent of motorized vehicles and new tire technologies, the traditional wheel faced challenges to adapt and stay relevant. Similarly, Nokia struggled to keep pace with the rapid advancements in smartphone technology and the rise of competitors such as Apple and Android-powered devices.
Pneumatic tires revolutionized mobility, offering improved comfort, traction, and efficiency. In contrast, Nokia’s failure to embrace touchscreens, app ecosystems, and evolving consumer preferences led to a decline in market share, ultimately losing its dominance in the mobile phone industry.
Lessons Learned
Adaptability: Both the wheel and Nokia phones teach us the importance of adaptability to survive and thrive in a changing landscape. Failure to adapt to emerging trends and technologies can lead to obsolescence.
Customer-Centric Approach: The wheel evolved based on the needs and demands of societies. Similarly, Nokia’s success was built on a customer-centric approach, focusing on user experience and delivering value to consumers.
Continuous Innovation: Just as the wheel underwent constant reinvention, Nokia’s story reminds us of the importance of continuous innovation to stay ahead of the competition and meet evolving consumer expectations.
The journey of the wheel and Nokia phones share remarkable similarities. Both started with solid foundations, experienced periods of innovation and dominance and eventually faced challenges in adapting to new technologies and changing market dynamics. The analogy between the wheel and Nokia phones serves as a reminder that even the most successful products and inventions must evolve and adapt to remain relevant in a dynamic world. By embracing innovation, understanding customer needs, and remaining adaptable, companies and inventors can strive for continued success and avoid being left behind by the wheels of progress.
I find great admiration in witnessing the continuous innovations and reinventions happening both globally and within the Indian subcontinent. Just as the world of technology has seen the rise and fall of “Nokias” in the edtech space, it reminds us that the wheel of progress must keep reinventing itself to push boundaries and foster growth.
Let’s take a platonic stab at some of the global and Indian startups that I have admired over the years, and the list continues to grow. One recent crush of mine is Physics Wallah, but there are always new and exciting ventures emerging. To keep things concise and engaging, let’s dive right into it!(It’s boring me already!)
Coursera (2012): Coursera is an online learning platform that offers a wide range of courses and degrees from top universities and organizations. It has continuously reinvented itself by partnering with universities and expanding its offerings to include specialization programs and online degrees.
Udacity (2012): Udacity focuses on providing industry-relevant courses and nanodegree programs in collaboration with leading tech companies. It has been at the forefront of innovations in online learning, introducing features like project-based assessments and mentorship programs
Duolingo (2011): Duolingo is a language-learning platform that gamifies the learning process. It has revolutionized language education by making it accessible, engaging, and free. Duolingo’s adaptive learning algorithms have helped learners make significant progress.
Khan Academy (2006): Khan Academy is a non-profit educational organization that provides free video tutorials and interactive exercises on a wide range of subjects. It has innovated in the field of online education by offering personalized learning paths and adaptive assessments.
Udemy (2010): Udemy is a marketplace for online courses created by experts in various fields. It has enabled subject matter experts to share their knowledge and skills with a global audience. Udemy has constantly evolved by introducing features like live classes and a subscription-based model.
Quizlet (2005): Quizlet is a learning platform that offers flashcards, quizzes, and study games to help students master various subjects. It has continuously reinvented itself by incorporating machine learning and adaptive algorithms to enhance personalized learning.
Teachable (2014): Teachable is a platform that allows individuals and organizations to create and sell online courses. It has empowered entrepreneurs and educators to monetize their expertise and build their online schools. Teachable has introduced features like course analytics and integrated marketing tools.
Brainly (2009): Brainly is a collaborative learning community where students and educators can ask and answer academic questions. It has transformed the way students seek help by creating a global network of peer-to-peer learning. Brainly has expanded its features to include live tutoring and subject-specific communities.
Byju’s (2011): Byju’s is an Indian edtech company that offers personalized learning programs for K-12 students. It has gained popularity for its interactive video lessons and adaptive learning technology. Byju’s has diversified its offerings by acquiring other edtech companies and expanding into international markets.
MasterClass (2015): MasterClass is an online platform that offers video lessons from world-renowned experts in various fields. It has reimagined online learning by providing access to exclusive insights and experiences from industry leaders. MasterClass has continuously expanded its course catalog and production quality.
Toppr (2013): Toppr is an adaptive learning platform that offers personalized study resources and live classes for K-12 students. It has leveraged technology to create customized learning paths and real-time progress tracking. Toppr has expanded its offerings to include test preparation courses and has introduced an AI-driven chatbot for doubt resolution.
Vedantu (2014): Vedantu is an online tutoring platform that provides live interactive classes for K-12 students. It has innovated in the field of live learning by offering two-way audio and video communication, virtual whiteboards, and personalized attention. Vedantu has introduced features like Doubt Solving Sessions and Masterclasses with experts.
Unacademy (2015): Unacademy is an online learning platform that offers comprehensive courses and live classes for various competitive exams and subjects. It has transformed the test preparation market by providing affordable access to quality education. Unacademy has expanded its platform to include exam-specific content, interactive quizzes, and a robust educator network.
BYJU’S (2011): Byju’s, mentioned earlier, is an Indian edtech company that offers personalized learning programs for K-12 students. It has become one of the largest edtech startups globally by providing engaging video lessons, interactive quizzes, and adaptive learning technology. Byju’s has acquired several other edtech startups and expanded its offerings to cover a wide range of subjects and exam preparation.
UpGrad (2015): UpGrad is an online higher education platform that offers industry-relevant programs in collaboration with universities and industry experts. It has focused on upskilling and reskilling professionals by providing flexible, career-oriented courses. UpGrad has introduced features like mentorship, hands-on projects, and industry networking opportunities.
Simplilearn (2009): Simplilearn is an online training and certification platform that offers courses in various domains, including technology, data science, and digital marketing. It has adapted to industry demands by continuously updating its course catalog and introducing bootcamp-style learning programs. Simplilearn has also partnered with leading organizations to offer industry-recognized certifications.
Cuemath (2013): Cuemath is an after-school math learning program for K-8 students. It combines online classes with physical worksheets and exercises to build a strong foundation in mathematics. Cuemath has innovated by creating a network of home-based tutors who follow a structured curriculum and provide personalized attention.
Great Learning (2013): Great Learning is an online platform that offers professional courses and upskilling programs in collaboration with universities and industry experts. It has focused on bridging the skill gap by providing industry-relevant training in areas like data science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Great Learning has introduced immersive learning experiences and career support services.
Testbook (2014): Testbook is an online platform that provides comprehensive test preparation for various government job exams in India. It has disrupted the test preparation market by offering a wide range of practice questions, mock tests, and performance analysis. Testbook has continuously expanded its exam coverage and introduced features like live classes and doubt resolution.
WhiteHat Jr (2018): WhiteHat Jr is a coding platform for kids that offers live one-on-one coding classes. It has gained popularity for its interactive curriculum and focus on teaching real-world coding skills. WhiteHat Jr has emphasized project-based learning and has recently expanded its offerings to include subjects like math and music. I admire the founder, way more than the product in this case(wink, wink)
I also highly recommend checking out nurtr.com, a promising startup in the field of chess education. The founding team aims to create a remarkable business by focusing on product excellence rather than solely chasing valuations. With a vision of reinventing the wheel, they are dedicated to making progress one day, one move, and one percent at a time. It’s worth keeping an eye on their journey!
Yes it’s a struggle every day, but the fight is always worth it!
चाह नहीं मैं सुरबाला के, गहनों में गूँथा जाऊँ,
चाह नहीं, प्रेमी-माला में, बिंध प्यारी को ललचाऊँ,
चाह नहीं, सम्राटों के शव, पर हे हरि, डाला जाऊँ,
चाह नहीं, देवों के सिर पर, चढ़ूँ भाग्य पर इठलाऊँ।
मुझे तोड़ लेना वनमाली! उस पथ पर देना तुम फेंक,
मातृभूमि पर शीश चढ़ाने जिस पथ जावें वीर अनेक
- माखनलाल चतुर्वेदी
Signing off, till the next time I get an urge to do this!
Till then, Keep Smiling
PS: Special thanks to Sam Altman’s platform, for doing all the research for me!
Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com.
