An Idea That Took the World by Storm
In the early 20th century, Simon Lake, a pioneering inventor, introduced a groundbreaking idea—a submarine equipped with wheels. The concept was revolutionary, aimed at not just diving under water, but moving seamlessly on both land and sea.
Building the First Submarine with Wheels
Lake, an American engineer and inventor, designed the Submarine No. 6, which featured a set of retractable wheels that could be deployed when the vessel surfaced. This unique design allowed the submarine to travel across the seafloor and even over land, providing versatility that had never been seen before.
The Trials and Challenges
In 1915, Lake’s submarine was tested in the waters off the coast of New Jersey. Though it worked as designed underwater, the wheels proved to be impractical for land travel. Despite its limitations, the design was a significant step forward in submarine engineering.
A Vision for the Future
While Lake’s submarine with wheels never became a commercial success, it sparked interest in military and commercial submarine design, influencing later advancements in underwater vehicles. The concept of versatility between land and sea would remain a visionary idea in marine technology.
