PREHISTORY - The raft - a long pole was used to propel and steer in shallow water. The dugout - a single oar was skillfully used to propel and steer.

4,000 B.C. (or thereabouts) As boats grew larger and journeys farther, they were fitted with twin steering oars secured to each side of the stern.

LATER - As boats became ships, the steering oars were fitted with tillers. The tiller was a horizontal, or nearly horizontal, bar attached at the head of the steering oar providing easier steering.

MUCH LATER - As ships grew larger, tillers became longer and required more men to handle the ship in high winds.

FOURTH CENTURY - Viking longships used only one steering oar lashed to the steerboard (starboard) side. This left the quay or loading (port) side of the vessel clear.

TWELFTH CENTURY - The steering oars were frequently out of the water due to the rolling of the ship, and steering was erratic. The sternpost was then reinforced and a steering oar (now rudder) was attached. With the rudder now on the ship's center line, the ship's response to steering was fast and firm. First rudders were seen in the Baltic Sea and on ships called cogs.

SIXTEENTH CENTURY - As ships added castles to the main deck it was necessary to move the helmsman to a higher level so he could see. Control of the rudder was now accomplished by attaching a long vertical pole (the whipstaff) to the tiller.

EIGHTEENTH CENTURY - As ship size continued to increase with new technology and new economic challenges, ships became increasingly difficult to control. The new technology (ship design) produced the steering wheel. Replacing the whipstaff directly, the steering wheel was connected to the tiller with block and tackle, which provided a considerable increase in mechanical advantage. This arrangement resulted in smoother operation of the rudder with less effort.