A History of Mechanical Inventions: Revised Edition Revised Edition

by Abbott Payson Usher (Author)

15 ratings

ISBN-13: 978-0486255934

ISBN-10: 048625593X

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"The book is without peer in its field." — American Scientist
In this completely revised and enlarged edition of a classic work in the history of technology, a noted scholar explores the importance of technological innovation in the cultural and economic history of the West.
Following an introductory discussion of the place of technology in economic history, the author offers a penetrating historical analysis of social change. Within this context he develops a theory of invention based on Gestalt psychology and a concept of social evolution as continuous development from antiquity to the present. Emphasis is placed on the role of economic forces in the development of technology, with scientific concepts also playing an important role in bringing about change.
The latter part of the book focuses on the production and control of power in general, and in particular on a number of important operative mechanisms. Thus we read thought-provoking accounts of the technology of textile manufacture from primitive times, of water wheels and windmills, water clocks, and mechanical clocks, and the work of Leonardo da Vinci. The development of printing is carefully studied, not only for its intrinsic interest, but because of its importance for the history of science. Other topics include the production and application of power (1500–1830), machine tools and quantity production, the production and distribution of power since 1832, and the role of Asia Minor as a source of techniques which dominated the Middle Ages and the modern period as well.
Thoroughly researched and cogently reasoned, A History of Mechanical Inventions belongs in the library of anyone interested in the history of science and invention, as well as the relationship of technology to economic and social history.
"Throughout the book there is constant proof of the author's wide learning and varied intellectual interests." — The New York Times

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From the Publisher

Bestselling Mechanical Movement & Devices Books From Dover Publications


507 Mechanical Movements Compilation features simplified, concise illustrations of the mechanisms used in hydraulics, steam engines, pneumatics, presses, and scores of other machines.The movements of each of the 507 mechanisms are depicted in drawings on the left-hand page, and the facing page presents a brief description of the item's use and operation. Inventors, tinkerers, and anyone with an interest in the history of invention and technology will find this volume a treasury of information and inspiration. (0486443604)	Basic Machines & How They Work Only elementary math skills are needed to follow this manual, which covers many machines and their components, including hydrostatics and hydraulics, internal combustion engines, trains, and more. 204 black-and-white illustrations. (0486217094)	1800 Mechanical Movements, Devices and Appliances A fascinating compendium of early-twentieth-century mechanical devices, this wide-ranging work covers a variety of applications. More than 1,800 engravings — ranging from simple diagrams to detailed cross-sections — illustrate the workings of each item, from simple hooks and levers to complex machinery used in steam, motive, hydraulic, air, and electric power, navigation, gearing, clocks, mining, construction, and more. (0486457435)

A History Of Mechanical Inventions

In this completely revised and enlarged edition of a classic work in the history of technology, a noted scholar explores the importance of technological innovation in the cultural and economic history of the West. Contains thought-provoking accounts of the technology of textile manufacture from primitive times, of water wheels and windmills, water clocks, and mechanical clocks, and the work of Leonardo da Vinci. Other topics include the production and application of power (1500–1830), machine tools and quantity production, the production and distribution of power since 1832, and much more. For anyone interested in the history of science and invention, as well as the relationship of technology to economic and social history. (048625593X)

Mechanics By J.P. Den Hartog

This classic introductory text features hundreds of applications and design problems that illuminate fundamentals of trusses, loaded beams and cables, and related areas. More than 550 drawings and diagrams in the regular text and in the highly praised 112-page section of 334 problems and answers further contribute to its lucidity and value. (0486607542)

A Victorian Handbook Of Mechanical Movements

This Victorian-era handbook for civil engineers presents sketches and brief descriptions of more than 1,900 mechanical devices. Contents include gears of all kinds, chains and links, cranes, cutting tools, pumps, water wheels, turbines, and much more — all the elements of the increasingly sophisticated industrial and mechanical world of the late 19th century. (0486498123)

Leonardo da Vinci: Extraordinary Machines

The most significant creations of Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci come to life in the pages of this lavishly illustrated pop-up book. Published to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Leonardo's death, this elaborate collectible reveals the intricacy and importance of his designs for robots, flying machines, and other timeless inventions. Includes 6 Pop-up designs. The 3-D models are based on the master's actual drawings and accompanied by his notes. (0486832368)

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dover Publications; Revised edition (November 2, 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 048625593X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0486255934
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.06 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.4 x 0.93 x 8.46 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #472,517 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #181 in Physics of Mechanics
- #212 in Mechanics
- #530 in History of Engineering & Technology

Customer Reviews:
15 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		57%
4 star		16%
3 star		8%
2 star		8%
1 star		10%

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James D

Too verbose and pedantic

Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2021

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Too verbose and pedantic

Helpful

interesting topic but a "tough" read

Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2014

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I found the topic fascinating and the author does a great job of explaining it. The book is NOT a light read.

It gets a 4-star rating for numerous illustrations and the way that the "story makes sense" as it describes the progress of inventions. I learned a lot from reading it and it was a good value at the price paid.

4 people found this helpful

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amicus

In contrast to the prior reviewers, I can only ...

Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2015

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In contrast to the prior reviewers, I can only rank this at three stars. Its erudition is superficial and its sources are not properly cited and credited. It thus ends up as tendentious and self-serving rather than the works of Britten, Baillie and the mighty Claudius Saunier respecting horology.

2 people found this helpful

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Robert O. Woods

History of Mechanical Technology

Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2009

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This is a wonderfully through review of mechanical technology through the ages. I have a sizable library devoted to the subject and this is probably the best addition.

11 people found this helpful

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Quagmeyers

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2014

Verified Purchase

good book

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wsp

love it

Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2013

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excellent product i use it every day. would not know how to act if i didn't use it. highly reccomended

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Scorchio

The book badly needs an editor

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 28, 2017

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The human story is to a large extent the story of improvements in technology, at least for the last fifteen thousand years or so. So by understanding the history of technology we can understand a great deal about what happened in history and why. This book deals with only a small part of technology, that is mechanical inventions. But these inventions have been enormously important to the development of history particularly over the last thousand years. This should be a gripping subject.

Unfortunately the book is poorly written. The book opens with a number of chapters that seem almost designed to make the reader abandon it. There are chapters on "historical analysis of social change" and "novelty in thought and action" which are almost unreadable. It is only on page 84 of the book that it starts to deal with the history of mechanical inventions. However, even when the book finally starts to deal with its subject, the writing remains extremely poor. The author writes long, meandering sentences full of abstract or overly complicated constructions. Given a chance, he will always choose the passive or nominalized form of a verb over the active form. The book would really have benefitted from an editor who could turn the authors knowledge into readable prose.

markap

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2017

Verified Purchase

Interesting history and perspective ...

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From the Publisher

Bestselling Mechanical Movement & Devices Books From Dover Publications

507 Mechanical Movements

Basic Machines & How They Work

1800 Mechanical Movements, Devices and Appliances

A History Of Mechanical Inventions

Mechanics By J.P. Den Hartog

A Victorian Handbook Of Mechanical Movements

Leonardo da Vinci: Extraordinary Machines

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