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…

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…

Bridge with retracting sections, supported in the water by legs.

Mechanics: winch; roller guides.

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

Mechanics: inertia chain; bucket; flywheel; roller shaft bearing.

Mechanics: capstan bars; falling weight; lantern and crown gear.

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…

Bridge composed of broad-bottomed boats, paddled via an internal crank, positioned with a rudder, and fastened together.

Monogrammed "JG" on rock at lower right.

Mechanics: horizontal crankshaft.

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

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

Mechanics: winch; trigger.

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

The well is decorated with a monstrous female figure who gazes in the mirror and dispenses water from her breasts.

Mechanics: hand crank; force pump; conical valve; double interrupted crown gears and lantern gear; spur…

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

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.

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…

This device requires a relatively small amount of rope.

Mechanics: hand crank; bucket; flywheel.

Especially useful in the construction of large buildings.

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

Can be operated by a single person, easily and with little noise. The device depicted here is also illustrated on Plate 164.

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

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

The water is not enclosed within this device.

Mechanics: undershot waterwheel; noria; rocking troughs; interrupted lantern and racks; chain equalizer.