Invented by Émeric Lesix in 1859, the treadmill is used to transfer the power from the horse to agricultural stationary machines. Its small size and mobility can account for its success in France between 1850 and 1910, as the farmers were able to move it from farm to farm at harvest time (or later in the season). It consists in an inclined conveyor belt on which a horse can walk and transmit the force required to operate the machine. This conveyor belt is supported by chain loops and guided by rollers and rails. It drives a toothed wheel (as a bicycle chain), which is connected to a variable diameter pulley, adapted to the necessary speed and output power.
