A spoke is one of some number of rods radiating from the center of a wheel (the hub where the axle connects), connecting the hub with the round traction surface.
The term originally referred to portions of a log which had been split lengthwise into four or six sections. The radial members of a wagon wheel were made by carving a spoke (from a log) into their finished shape. A spokeshave is a tool originally developed for this purpose. Eventually, the term spoke was more commonly applied to the finished product of the wheelwright's work, than to the materials he used.
Read more about Spoke: History, Construction, Spoke Length
Famous quotes containing the word spoke:
“The Colonel went out sailing,
He spoke with Turk and Jew
With Christian and with Infidel
For all tongues he knew.
“O what’s a wifeless man?” said he
And he came sailing home.”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)
“The women that I picked spoke sweet and low
And yet gave tongue. “Hound voices” were they all.”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)
““You’ll have me over the cliff,” he exclaimed hardly ever yet putting out his strength against her.
“And so I will, by the help of God. Now think of her! Now think of her!” And as she spoke she pressed him backwards towards his fall.”
—Anthony Trollope (1815–1882)