The first lathes were built by the Egyptians in 1300 BC. The techniques were then often combined with each other and depended more on the customs and traditions of the regions than on a chronology. Before the use of wheel lathes, like the one presented here by Robert Marichy, the most common lathes were the 'bow' lathe, the most rudimentary, and the 'pole' lathe associated with a pedal and used until the early 19th century.