Andrew Atkinson, age 8, of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, for his question:

WHO INVENTED THE WHEEL?

We have no name for the person who invented the wheel. That important discovery was probably made about 5,000 years ago.

One thing about the wheel is certain, however. It was probably one of the most important steps in man's development. Without the wheel, today's civilization would be impossible.

The wheel opened the way for the development of transportation. A cart with wheels was certainly easier to pull than a sledge. Man was also better able to work his horses and other animals.

The wheel also gave man an important way in which he could control the flow of power.