Customer Reviews

Operations of the Geometric and Military Compass, 1606 (Dibner Library Publication, N0 1)

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Galileo's geometric compass is neither the magnetic compass nor the familiar drawing instrument, though it is not entirely unrelated to the latter. Imagine a divider with scoring on its legs, such that by placing the feet of the divider some particular distance apart, and then using the scoring, one could find a measure, say, 1/3 of the distance of original distance. Imagine also reversing the process. &c. There you have it. At the time that Galileo devised this thing, few were adept at multiplication, let alone division, and the device was thus =extremely= useful. But those comfortable with high school algebra and geometry will find unremarkable mathematics. However, this book represents an important milestone in calculating technology

This is an excellent book on a very old and very accurate instrument. Gallelio was a genius as were many other ancients. These guys blazed the paths to our present level of intelligence. Worth every penny if you can find it.