Rossi C., Russo F. Ancient Engineers' Inventions: Precursors of the Present

2nd edition. — Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2017. — xvii, 420 p. — (History of Mechanism and Machine Science 33). — ISBN: 9783319444765, 9783319444758.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 this 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.
This second edition includes new topics and chapters that are of special interest to engineers.Representing and Measuring the Environment
Elevations, Plan and Sections
Protohistoric Drafting Machine for the Clay Tablets Engraving
Examples of Planimetries from the IV Millennium B.C. to the 1st Century A.D
Plan of Egyptian Fortress, IV Millennium B.C
Plan View, Front View and Sections: Inventions Over the Time
Planimetries on Sumerian Tablets of the III Millennium B.C.
Plan of a Sumerian Retaining Wall, on Stone, 2150 B.C. Time
Plan for the Mausoleum of a Rural Roman Home, I c. A.D.
Anthropometric and Mathematical Units of Measurement
Ancient Units
Ancient Greek Units
Ancient Roman Units
Measuring MassThe Balance Scale
The Steelyard Balance
Observations
Measuring Distance and SlopeJacob’s Staff
Range Finders
Groma
Surveyor’s Cross
Chorobate
The Astrolabe
The Dioptre by Heron
The Ancient Odometers
The Odometer by Vitruvius
The Odometer by Heron
Observations
Measuring TimeThe Sundial
Fixed Sundials
Portable Sundials
Water Clocks
Early Water Clocks
The Water Clock by Ctesibius
Observations
OrientationThe Sundial Compass
The Chinese South-Pointing Chariot
The Windrose and the Magnetic Compass
Ancient Computation DevicesThe Abacus
The Mesolabio
The Mesolabio of Eratosthenes
The Solution by Hippocrates and the Mesolabio by Dürer
The Mechanism of Antikitera
The History of the Finding
Description of the Mechanism
Technological Aspects
Planetariums in Ancient Literature
Observations
The Natural Energy Used in AntiquityEnergy from Man
Energy from Animals
Two or More Animals Together
The Capstan
The Treadwheel
Rough Evaluation of the Power from a Wind Motor
Rough Evaluation of the Power from a Waterwheel
Undershot Waterwheel
Overshot Waterwheel.
Breast Waterwheel
Power from a Waterwheel
Wind MotorsThe Wind Mills
The Afghan Mill
The Cretan Mill
Wings on the Sea: The Sails
Evolution of the Sail Rig
The Chinese Junk
The Flettner Rotor
Observations
Hydraulic MotorsWater Wheels with Vertical Axis
The Greek Mill
Vertical Axis Rotor with Oblique Blades
Water Wheels with Horizontal Axis
Undershot Water Wheels—The Wheel of Venafro
Overshot Water Wheels
The Floating Mill
Water Wheels in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance
Observations
Refrigeration and Heating
Air Cooling with Wind Towers
The Production of Ice
Nero’s Sherbert.
Wheat Pits
Heating and Thermal Baths
Energy Saving: The Sun Chimney Heating and Thermal Baths
The Production of Water
The Air Well
The Dew Basin
The Qanat
Distillation
Lifting WaterThe Early Devices
The Archimedes’ Screw.
Norias
Scoop Wheel
Chain Norias
Pumps
Chain Pumps
Reciprocating Pumps
Observations
Adduction and Distribution of WaterOpen Ducts
Penstocks
The Great Cisterns.
The Piscina Mirabilis at Miseno
Water Distribution Systems
Piezometric Turrets
Pipes
Dimensions of the Lead Pipes
Valves
Shut off Valves
Single Control Mixers.
Hydraulic Mining
The Technique of «Ruina Montium»
Historical References
Observations
Underwater ActivitiesScuba Divers
Diving Bell
TransportsRoman Charts
Horse Shoeing
Railed Cargo
The Rails of Pompeii
Ancient Self-propelled Vehicles
Hero of Alexandria
Giovanni Fontana
Francesco Di Giorgio Martini
Leonardo Da Vinci
Early Ball Bearings
Transport on Water
Early Paddle Wheeled Boats
Pneumatic Boats
Cableways
The Dawn of the Flight in the Antiquity
Legends and Tales
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Greece and Hellenic Civilization
The Middle Ages
The Renaissance
Ancient Rockets
Observations
TelecommunicationsAcoustic
Carrier Pigeons
Optical Telecommunication Systems
Systems Based on Image Modification
Systems Based on Brilliancy Modification
Lighthouses
The Water Telegraph
Observations
Medicine and HealthMedical Assistance Provided to Legionaries
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Early Penicillin
The Beginning of Biological Warfare
Secondary MotorsCranes and Tackle
Gravity Driven Elevators
Siege Towers
Possible Internal Motors
The Motion of the Tower
The Trebuchet
Flexion Elastic Motors
Metal Spring Flexion Elastic Motors
Torsion Elastic Motors
Throwing Machines Operated by Torsion Motors
The Ballista
The Catapult
The Onager
The Cheiroballistra
Mechanics of the Throwing Machines
The Torsion Motor
The Models and the Performances of the Machines
Pneumatic Motors
The Air Spring Ballista
Small Spring Motors
Locks and Padlocks
Ancient Steam Engines
Heron’s Steam Turbine
The Architronitro
Observations
Spinning and WeavingThe Dawn of Spinning and Weaving
The Spinning Wheel
The Mechanical Spinning
The Spinning Jenny
The Spinning Frame by Arkwright
The Mule by Crompton
The Ring Frame
The Automatic Weaving
The First Programmable Loom
The Programmable Looms of the 18th Century
The Automatic Loom
Observations
Some Applications of the FireFire Ignition
Optical Flints
Marine Fire—The Roman Candle
Wind Lanterns
Fire for Warming
Domestic Heating
Thermal Heating Systems
Ancient Samovar
Fire for Warfare
Burning Mirrors
Flamethrowers
Incendiary Projectiles
The Protection from Fire: The Asbestos
Automata (Towards Automation and Robots)The Hellenistic Age.
Heron of Alexandria
The Roman Empire: The Repeating Catapult
The Middle Ages
Al Jazari and the Arabs
The Astronomic Clock of Strasbourg
The Renaissance
The 18th Century
The 19th Century
Automata of the Far East
Between the Two Millenniums
Observations
Some Ancient Building TechniquesStone Buildings
Opus Siliceum—Opus Poligonalis
Opus Quadratum
Concrete Buildings
Opus Caementitium
Opus Incertum
Opus Quasi Reticulatum
Opus Reticulatum
Opus Latericium
Opus Spicatum
Opus Mixtum
Opus Vittatum—Opus Listatum
Considerations on the Polygonal Work.
Construction Criteria
Theories on the Reasons for Polygonal Work
Polygonal Bridges
Earthquake-Resistant Buildings with Wooden Ribs
Seismic Isolators
Consideration on Ancient Concrete