Leonardo da Vinci has been credited with the discovery of the principle behind the mechanics of ball bearings.

The first patent was awarded to Jules Suriray, a Parisian bicycle mechanic, on 3rd August 1869. The bearings were then fitted to the winning bicycle ridden by James Moore in the world’s first bicycle road race, Paris-Rouen, in November 1869.

The modern, self-aligning design of ball bearing is attributed to Sven Wingquist of the SKF ball-bearing manufacturer in 1907.

Ball bearings were found on the Roman Nemi ships constructed in about 40 A.D