Continuously Variable Transmissions have been around for a long time. The first toroidal CVT concept was patented in the 18th century, but had to wait for the industrial revolution and traction fluid technology before it could be manufactured. But it was not until the early 1980s that practical applications became viable. Early CVTs, whilst proving the efficacy of the engineering concept, relied on traction fluid and/or pure rubber belts to create the friction interface to change the radius between two interfacing/ planetary metal surfaces. The resultant heat generation, vibration and friction losses have characterised early CVT technology ever since.