The invention of the fan has a rich history spanning centuries and different cultures. The earliest fans date back 4,000 years to ancient Egypt, where slaves used large lotus leaves for fanning, symbolizing power and used in religious ceremonies. In China, about 180 AD, the Han dynasty inventor Ting Huan created a rotary fan with seven large wheels that could cool an entire hall. Mechanical and electrical fans evolved over time with significant developments including the electric fan invented by Schuyler Skaats Wheeler in 1882, who designed a fan with a two-bladed propeller attached to an electric motor, called the "buzz fan" or "humming fan." Later, Philip Diehl patented the ceiling fan in 1889 and continued improvements like adding light fixtures and oscillating mechanisms followed through the early 1900s.
Key Points in Fan Invention History
- Ancient fans originated as hand fans made of leaves or feathers in Egypt and other ancient civilizations.
- Chinese inventor Ting Huan (circa 180 AD) created a large rotary fan.
- Schuyler Skaats Wheeler (1882) invented the first electric fan using a motor and two blades.
- Philip Diehl (1889) invented the ceiling fan by mounting fan blades on a sewing machine motor.
- Fans evolved into oscillating models in the early 20th century, becoming common household appliances.
Thus, while the original fan as a tool for cooling has ancient roots, the modern electric fan was invented by Schuyler Skaats Wheeler in 1882.
