Georg Lankensperger (also: Lankensberger), (31 March 1779 – 11 July 1847) was a German

wheelwright A wheelwright is a Artisan, craftsman who builds or repairs wooden wheels. The word is the combination of "wheel" and the word "wright" (which comes from the Old English word "''wryhta''", meaning a worker - as also in shipbuilding, shipwright ...

who invented the steering mechanism that is today known as Ackermann steering geometry. He patented the invention in Germany, but his agent Rudolph Ackermann filed for the patent in the U.K.

Early life

Lankensperger was born in Marktl in the district of Oberbayern in Germany.

Career

Lankensperger invented his steering mechanism in 1816 as Hofwagner (''Court waggoner'') in Munich, to allow the front wheels of a carriage to individually follow the natural arc of its turning circle, rather than skidding and slipping when they are forced to each share a common arc with the conventional pivoted axle. It continues to be used in horse-drawn carriages and passenger cars to this day.Veröffentlicht: ''„Wöchentlicher Anzeiger für Kunst- und Gewerbfleiß im Königreich Baiern“, No. 24, 15. Juni 1816, Spalte 394''Bayerisches Privileg für Georg Lankensberger vom 25. Mai 1816
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Death

He died at Birkenstein near

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lankensperger, Georg Engineers from Bavaria Engineers from Baden-Württemberg 19th-century German inventors 1779 births 1847 deaths People from Upper Bavaria