The wheel's invention, a pivotal moment in human history, is believed to have originated in Mesopotamia around 3500 BCE, though its exact inventor and the specific process remain unknown, with evidence suggesting independent invention in China around 2800 BC. 

Here's a more detailed look:

Early Evidence: The earliest evidence of the wheel dates back to around 3500 BCE in Mesopotamia, with some evidence suggesting independent invention in China around 2800 BCE. 

Initial Use: The first wheels were not for transportation, but rather as potter's wheels. 

Transportation: Wheeled vehicles emerged around 3500–3350 BC. 

Development of the Wheel: Early wheels were simple wooden disks with a hole for the axle, and some historians believe they evolved from the use of logs as rollers. 

Further Developments: Spoked wheels appeared around 2000 BCE, used on chariots in Asia Minor. 

Significance: The wheel revolutionized transportation, agriculture (animal traction, crop irrigation), and various craft industries.