Ancient Engineers' Inventions: Precursors of the Present (History of Mechanism and Machine Science) [Hardcover]

Cesare Rossi (Author), Flavio Russo (Author), Ferruccio Russo (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 904812252X | ISBN-13: 978-9048122523 | Publication Date: May 11, 2009 | Edition: 1

This book describes inventions and designs of ancient engineers that are the precursors of the present. The ages mainly range from 300 B.C. to 1600 A.D. with some exceptions from before and after this period. As for the very ancient ones, the book describes inventions (documented by archaeological finds mainly from Pompei, Ercolano and Stabia) that generally are very little known and sometimes not known at all. Some inventions are in the military field. This is because (unfortunately) many inventions and technological innovations have been conceived starting from military applications. The book is divided into five parts. The first four parts pertain to definite fields and present inventions generally conceived up to the late Roman Empire. Inventions that are representative of the engineering genius of the ancients and that may be considered as milestones, each in their respective field. The fifth part refers to fields of engineering (such as textiles and automation) in which important innovations were conceived also in more recent centuries. For each of the inventions presented, even the ancient ones of many centuries past, the authors provide three elements of research and reference: Written documents (the classics) Iconic references (coins, bas-reliefs, etc.) Archaeological findings. The target groups of the book are students and scholars with interest on History of Mechanical Engineering in Antiquity and Archaelogy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: “A lovingly compiled catalogue of engineering achievement, prepared most especially for young engineers, and dedicated to the appreciation of the works of pioneers. The reader is shown the problems and guided to their solutions, via all the technical detail needed to command attention. The target reader is thus served, under these terms of reference, well. … All in all, we have a collection of ingenious devices, well-described, frequently ‘reconstructed’ and lovingly commemorated.”­­­ (Michael A. B. Deakin, Metascience, Vol. 19, March, 2010)

From the Back Cover

This book describes the inventions and designs of ancient engineers who are the precursors of the present. The period ranges mainly from 300 B.C: to 1600 A.D. with several exceptions. Many of the oldest inventions are documented by archaeological finds, often very little known, mainly from Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae and reveal a surprising modernity in their conception. Most of the inventions presented in the first four parts of the book were conceived up to the late Roman Empire and may be considered as milestones, each in their respective field. The fifth part concentrates on more recent centuries. The sixth part deals with some building construction techniques. Generally, for each of the presented inventions, three elements of research and reference are provided: written documents (the classics), iconic references (coins, bas-reliefs, etc.) and archaeological findings. The authors did not write this book for engineers only; hence they describe all the devices without assuming wide technical knowledge. The authors’ main aim is to try to communicate their enthusiasm for the inventions and the inventors of the past and to  contribute to the fascinating study of the History of Engineering.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 356 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (May 11, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 904812252X
• ISBN-13: 978-9048122523
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,772,565 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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