Instruments & Innovation

Mechanics: undershot waterwheel; force pump; conical valve; double interrupted crown gears and lantern gear; spur gear and lantern; horizontal working beam.

Mechanics: hand crank; bucket; spur gear and lantern; flywheel.

Mechanics: undershot waterwheel; noria; spur gear and lantern.

Mechanics: winch; falling weight; spur gear and lantern; lantern and crown gear; ratchet.

Mechanics: horizontal spoked treadwheel; force pump; conical valve; double interrupted crown gears and lantern gear; spur gear and lantern; horizontal working beam.

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

Mechanics: undershot waterwheel; force pump; double interrupted crown gears and lantern gear; lantern and rack; lantern and crown gear; roller guides.

Mechanics: hand crank; horizontal crankshaft; lift pump; horizontal working beam; crank and connecting rod; flywheel.

The man looking out of the grilled window in the background foreshadows the section on screw-jacks (Plates 154–167).

Mechanics: machine crank; inertia chain; lift pump; flap valve.

Complete structure can be rotated by rudder to catch optimal wind. Sails can be stopped and secured. Contains mechanism to lift grain sacks.

Mechanics: windmill (post mill); lantern and crown gear.

Mechanics: internal vertical treadwheel; chain of buckets; spur gear and lantern; roller shaft bearing.

Can be operated by a single person, easily and with little noise. The device depicted here is also illustrated on Plate 166.

Mechanics: hand crank; worm and worm gear; double toggle linkage.

Accordion folded bridge sections can be quickly and unexpectedly rolled out and brought up to the wall.

Mechanics: capstan bars; hand crank; worm and worm gear; lantern and rack; roller guides.

This device uses a paternoster pump, named for its resemblance to a rosary. Also known as a "rag and chain" pump or a "rubber bucket chain" pump.

Mechanics: hand crank; paternoster chain pump; flywheel.

Bridge sections composed of trapezoidal prisms are transported rolled up. Unrolled, the sections are connected together with hinges, and the bridge floats on the water.

Mechanics: winch; ratchet; projectile throwing…

Mechanics: undershot waterwheel; lift pump; grooved eccentric cam; horizontal working beam; roller guides.

Mechanics: horizontal submerged waterwheel; horizontal crankshaft; lift pump; spur gear and lantern; lantern and crown gear; horizontal working beam; crank and connecting rod.

Mechanics: hand crank; swinging-vane rotary pump; spur gear and lantern; worm and worm gear; lantern and crown gear; flywheel; slotted-head screw.

Mechanics: inclined treadwheel; lantern and crown gear.

Machine sits on four casters.

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

Mechanics: horizontal spoked treadwheel; conical valve; worm and worm gear; lantern and crown gear; motion converter (rotating to linear).

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…

Mechanics: hand crank; gated-lobe rotary pump.

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.

Mechanics: overshot waterwheel; sliding-vane rotary pump.