The earliest man-powered machines were probably hand-rotated or bow-driven fire sticks. It seems likely that the earliest use of a lathe was a result of using a flint to mark the sticks held and rotated in this fashion. The earliest lathes (proto-lathes) were probably operated using one hand to rotate the work and the other to hold the cutting tool. This goes a long way to explaining the turned artifacts that have been found with charcteristic turning marks on out-of-round cylinders (too far to have been natural warpage).
So far the earliest lathe artifact was a four inch diameter button made from the mineral jet, which showed the characteristic concentric ring pattern of a lathe-turned piece. It was dated around 2000BC. Probably cut with a flint on a bow lathe.
The first evidence of a round joint was found in the tomb of Tutankhamune in Egypt, dating from 1350BC. Although it could have been shaved, it is likely that it was produced on an early bow lathe.
In Egypt by around 300BC, the bow lathe was an established technology. The earliest representation of woodturning being in an Egyptian tomb and depicts two men operating a lathe, one rotating the work-piece, the other holding the cutting tool. Similar lathes are still used today in some parts of the world: in Northern Africa, Bedhoin's in Egypt still make "shepherd's crook's" and other smaller items sitting on the floor using a one-man operated bow lathe.
By the late late Iron Age, turning using a bow-lathe was an extensive small scale industry. In England during Roman times, Kimmerbridge oil shale was turned into 'Dorset Coal Money'. Shale discs may be seen in the British Museum along with stub ends showing centers. Largely made for export to the rest of the Roman empire.
Boxwood trees were introduced and cultivated in Southern England by the Romans for use in small turned boxes, which were very popular.
1066 - Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Norman victory over Harold and celebrations shows round wooden bowls being used as eating and drinking vessels.
In Northern Europe, the Vikings continued and refined the tradition. In fact, although more well-known for their invasions of other countries, they were very accomplished woodworkers and ironworkers.
Middle Ages.
1189 – Many thousands of wooden cups and platters required for coronation banquet of Richard the Lion Heart.
1254 – Marriage of Edward I to Eleanor of Castile, 400 cups and 1500 dishes.
ca1250.
Lathe depicted in stained glass window Chartres, France.
Over Europe by 1300AD, turning recognised as a separate trade. London Guild of Turners formed – The London Company of Turners. Unfortunately records were destroyed in the Great Fire.
1500 – 1600
First decline in demand for turned wooden pieces as a result of the introduction of Pewter.
- UK: Charter given to Guild of Turners by King John
1678 – 1680.
Joseph Moxon wrote, Mechanick Exercises – The Art of Turning.
mid-1700s
Decline in bowl tuning caused by cheap imports of crockery and glass. Further decline after the introduction of tin-plate and enamel ware.
Other trades – wheelwrights – became involved in production of chairs.
1801 – 1831.
Population in major European Cities incresing rapidly. Bowl turning in decline, chair making on the increase.
In 1826 William Lailey built a workshop at Turners Green in Bucklebury, Berkshire, some 8km NW of Newbury. His son George and grandson George William worked there over the years until GW retired in 1958 at the age of 88. They used neither power nor artificial light though both became available in 1937.
They had two Saxon type lathes on which the produced bowls and ladles from seasoned elm up to 20 inches diameter.
