# First example of functional gears found in nature

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-example-of-functional-gears-found-in-nature/668807>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [September 13, 2013, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-example-of-functional-gears-found-in-nature/668807 "2013-09-13T23:26:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-example-of-functional-gears-found-in-nature/668807/1 "2013-09-13T23:26:33Z")

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The structure itself has been known since the 50’s but the fact that it works as gearing mechanism is [recent](http://www.livescience.com/39577-insects-with-leg-gears-discovered.html).

> [@](#):
>
> ```
> A species of [plant-hopping insect](http://www.livescience.com/2917-bug-incredible-leaps-explained.html), *Issus **coleoptratus*, is the first living creature known to possess functional gears, a new study finds. The two interlocking gears on the insect's hind legs help synchronize the legs when the animal jumps.
> 
> "To the best of my knowledge, it's the first demonstration of [functioning gears](http://www.livescience.com/5954-scientists-harness-bacteria-turn-microscopic-gears.html) in any animal," said study researcher Malcolm Burrows, an emeritus professor of neurobiology at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. 
> 
> ```

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**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-example-of-functional-gears-found-in-nature/668807/2 "2013-09-13T23:41:42Z")

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[Already posted](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=702196).

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**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-example-of-functional-gears-found-in-nature/668807/3 "2013-09-14T01:20:21Z")

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Oh well. I did a search on insect gears and didn’t see anything.