there was an ingenious mesopotanian called Ishtar*,who, after numerous attempts, managed to cut two circular pieces out of a hollow tree trunk and insert a solid branch in the circles. When he put his sled filled with a load of cereals on the branch and began to push the first cart in human history, he knew that he had discovered the INVENTION. His life was going to change since henceforth he would be able to transport the same loads with considerably less effort. This was the first push towards a more leisurely civilisation!

Of course, he talked about his invention to everyone around him, he showed his discovery, he used it. Some people thought it a very good idea and used it for themselves.

But this invention also interested the inhabitants of the neighbouring village of Hewel, who were in fierce competition with Ishtar and his fellow citizens. They soon realised all the benefits that this innovation could bring them. Industrial espionage started when a cart was stolen from Ishtar himself.

It was only a few months after this incident that Ishtar and his fellow villagers realised that not only were they selling practically no more goods in the area, but that the Hewel merchants were selling theirs very successfully.

Ishtar was astonished to discover that the cause of his impoverishment was none other than his own invention. Depression overtook him when he learned that his great idea had not even been named after him, but that the usurpers had simply chosen an anagram of the name of their village: Whele (or wheel as it is nowadays).

From that day on, Ishtar stopped inventing and made no further contribution to the progress of humanity.

*Fictional story