Editing Differential (mechanical device) (section)

==History==
Milestones in the design or use of differentials include:
* 100 BCE–70 BCE: The [[Antikythera mechanism]] has been dated to this period. It was discovered in 1902 on a shipwreck by [[Sponge diving|sponge divers]], and modern research suggests that it used a differential gear to determine the angle between the ecliptic positions of the Sun and Moon, and thus the phase of the Moon.<ref name="Wright-Reconsidered">{{cite journal |last=Wright |first=M. T. |date=2007 |title=The Antikythera Mechanism Reconsidered |journal=Interdisciplinary Science Reviews |volume=32 |number=1 |pages=27–43 |doi=10.1179/030801807X163670 |bibcode=2007ISRv...32...27W |s2cid=54663891 |url=http://fsoso.free.fr/antikythera/DOCS/TheAntikytheraMechanismReconsidered.pdf |access-date=8 June 2023 }}</ref>{{clarify|Please provide a quote to support that this mechanism is a predecessor to the modern differential devices|date=February 2023}}
* {{circa|250 CE}}: Chinese engineer [[Ma Jun (mechanical engineer)|Ma Jun]] creates the first well-documented [[south-pointing chariot]], a precursor to the compass. Its mechanism of action is unclear, though some 20th century engineers put forward the argument that it used a differential gear.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Needham |first=Joseph |author-link=Joseph Needham |date=1986 |journal=Science and Civilization in China |title=<!--We need the title of the article.--> |volume=4 Part 2 |pages=296–306 |location=Taipei |publisher=Caves Books }}{{Title missing|date=January 2023}}</ref>{{clarify|Please provide a quote to support that this mechanism is a predecessor to the modern differential devices|date=February 2023}}
* 1810: [[Rudolph Ackermann]] of Germany invents a four-wheel steering system for carriages, which some later writers mistakenly report as a differential.
* 1823: [[Aza Arnold]] develops a differential drive train for use in [[Cotton-spinning machinery|cotton-spinning]]. The design quickly spreads across the United States and into the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mitman |first=Carl W. |date=1947 |editor-last=Johnson |editor-first=Allen |url=https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofamer01ilamer |title=Dictionary of American Biography |chapter=Arnold, Aza |publisher=[[Charles Scribner's Sons]], [[American Council of Learned Societies]] |volume=1 |pages=361–362 |location=New York }}</ref>
* 1827: Modern automotive differential patented by watchmaker [[Onésiphore Pecqueur]] (1792–1852) of the ''[[Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers]]'' in [[France]] for use on a [[steam wagon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmcanada.com/inm/gmcanada/english/about/OverviewHist/hist_auto.html |title=History of the Automobile |publisher=General Motors Canada |access-date=9 January 2011 }}</ref>
* 1874: [[Aveling and Porter]] of [[Rochester, Kent]] list a crane locomotive in their catalogue fitted with their patent differential gear on the rear axle.<ref>{{cite book |last=Preston |first=J.M. |title=Aveling & Porter, Ltd. Rochester |publisher=North Kent Books |date=1987 |isbn=0-948305-03-7 |pages=13–14 }}</ref>
* 1876: [[James Starley]] of [[Coventry]] invents chain-drive differential for use on [[bicycle]]s; invention later used on automobiles by [[Karl Benz]].
* 1897: While building his Australian [[steam car]], [[David Shearer (engineer)|David Shearer]] made the first use of a differential in a motor vehicle.<ref>{{cite web |title=David Shearer's Steam Car at Mannum in 1897 – Australia's First – with World-First Differential |url=https://adelaideaz.com/articles/david-shearer-s-steam--car--at-mannum-1897--australia-s-first---with--world-first-differential- |website=AdelaideAZ.com |access-date=27 February 2023 }}</ref>
* 1958: Vernon Gleasman patents the [[Torsen]] [[limited-slip differential]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Inventor Of Automotive Technologies – Vernon Gleasman's Legacy |url=https://www.theautochannel.com/news/2004/11/19/285488.html |website=TheAutoChannel.com |access-date=27 August 2023 }}</ref>