Instruments & Innovation

Translucent green, glass round-bottomed vase with heavy rainbow luster throughout. Base of the vase is round and then attaches to a vertical tube in the center, top of the tube has an ornamental curved design that…

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; 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.

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: overshot waterwheel; sliding-vane rotary pump.

Millstone can be raised or lowered by a wedge. This mill grinds and sifts flour at same time.

Mechanics: overshot waterwheel; lantern and crown gear.

Millstone can be raised or lowered by wedges.

Mechanics: horse whim; spur gear and lantern; lantern and crown gear.

Mechanics: undershot waterwheel; noria; Archimedean screw; angle crown gears; lantern and crown gear.

Mechanics: hand crank; lantern and crown gear; chain drive; 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: 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.

Mechanics: vertical crankshaft; bucket; spur gear and lantern.

Le diverse et artificiose machine belongs to a new genre that emerged in the late 16th century, the "theatre of machines," which offered original mechanical solutions to the problems of everyday life. Ramelli's book…

Mechanics: hand crank; force pump; flap valve; interrupted lanterns and spur gear sectors; chain equalizer; flywheel.