My grandfather was foreman at a limestone quarry in North Wales.

This was his wheelbarrow, or what is left of it! Timber portions, spokes and the remaining structure have all succumbed to the ravages of time.

The wheelbarrow was invented by the Chinese in the 3rd century AD and was known as the ‘wooden ox’ – a marvel of energy saving technology in its day. It was an extremely useful tool wherever ways of transportation are reduced to narrow paths. Thanks to a centre of gravity  near the axle of the wheel, the wheelbarrow makes it possible to transport without great effort loads of up to 300 pounds.

Loaned to Smart Gallery by Chris Lloyd