The civilization credited with the invention of the wheel is Mesopotamia, specifically the Sumerians, around 3500 BC. This groundbreaking invention played a critical role in the advancement of transportation, commerce, and technology. Initially, wheels were used for pottery making, but the innovation soon extended to vehicles, allowing for easier movement of goods and people. The wheel's impact transformed economies and societies, facilitating trade across greater distances, enhancing agricultural efficiency, and ultimately contributing to the rise of urban centers and complex civilizations. The wheel remains one of humanity's most important technological advances in history.