Here's what we know:
* Early Forms: Evidence suggests that wheelbarrows were used in ancient China around the 1st century BC. These early models were likely simple, consisting of a platform with a single wheel attached, and used for hauling goods.
* Development and Spread: Over time, wheelbarrows evolved and spread across the world. The Romans are known to have used them for construction purposes, and the design continued to improve throughout the Middle Ages.
* Modern Wheelbarrows: The wheelbarrow we know today, with its sturdy frame and single wheel, is a product of centuries of development and refinement.
Because of its long history and continuous evolution, attributing its invention to a single person is impossible. However, the ancient Chinese and Roman civilizations played crucial roles in its development and spread.