Instruments & Innovation

Can be operated by a single person, easily and with little noise.

Mechanics: wrenches.

Bridge composed of a boat, with extensible end sections that can be rolled out if the boat is not as long as the water is wide; additionally, the doubled-over end sections can also be unfolded for extra length.
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A set of two ruled frames is used along with plumb lines and a quadrant to record in daylight the aim of canons to be shot at night. The frames and plumb lines are then used again to aim the canon accurately in the dark…

Composed of three large crossbows. Uses tension to launch arrows, pyrotechnic projectiles, and balls of rock, lead, and iron to defend a city or fortress.

Mechanics: hand crank; spur gear and lantern.

Uses tension to launch arrows, pyrotechnic projectiles, balls, and rocks to defend a city or fortress.

Mechanics: roller thrust bearing; projectile throwing engine; trigger.

For launching rocks and fireballs to defend a city or fortress.

Mechanics: hand crank; worm and worm gear; spur gear and recessed face gear; projectile throwing engine.

For filling ditches and moats with barrels, bales, sacks, and debris, and for defending a city or fortress.

Mechanics: winch; trigger.

Allows user to consult a large number of books without moving or requiring a large table or amount of space. Purportedly useful to those who suffer from gout.

Mechanics: spur gears; epicyclic gear train.

Powered by concealed bellows or a person blowing into a pipe feeding into the base of the vase. Cross-section shows inner system, which relies on changes in air and water pressure to force air through hidden flutes to…

Decorated with birds that pipe out song. Can be constructed at various scales and made fixed or portable. Inner system relies on changes in air and water pressure to keep the water circulating and the air moving through…

Cross-section shows inner system, which is identical to that used for the fountain on Plate 184. Syphon action in the descending, snake-shaped pipes starts the water-flow, and inner system relies on changes in air and…

Pipes outwardly decorated like serpents spew water from the large vase into the basin. Can be fed by a distant natural spring or a hidden tank, provided either is at the same height as the fountain's vase. The inner…

Includes another view of the machine's gearing in the background.

Mechanics: capstan bars; worm and worm gear; rope drive.

Includes another view of the machine's gearing in the background.

Mechanics: hand crank; spur gear and lantern; worm and worm gear; angle crown gears.

Mechanics: hand crank; Spur gears; worm and worm gear; lantern and crown gear.

The machine's pulleys are enlarged and featured in the background.

Mechanics: hand crank; spur gear and lantern; worm and worm gear.

Machine sits on casters. Shows a bell being moved.

Mechanics: hand crank; spur gear and lantern; worm and worm gear.

Shows a column being moved.

Mechanics: hand crank; spur gear and lantern; worm and worm gear.

Entire machine rotates on a wheel in the base.

Mechanics: hand crank; spur gear and lantern; worm and worm gear; roller thrust bearing.

Machine sits on four casters.

Mechanics: capstan bars; hand crank; worm and worm gear; lewis.

Entire machine rotates on a wheel in the base. Includes details of machine parts hidden within, pictured at right top and bottom.

Mechanics: hand crank; spur gear and lantern; worm and worm gear; ratchet; roller thrust…

Mechanics: capstan bars; spur gear and lantern; lantern and crown gear.

Top: for lifting weights of any size from a ship or barge. Bottom: for moving and pulling heavy weights.

Mechanics: hand crank; spur gear and lantern; worm and worm gear; lantern and crown gear; flywheel.

Especially useful for lifting stones, mortar, and other construction material.

Mechanics: inertia chain; spur gear and lantern; lewis.