Table of Contents
Preface xiii
Part I Measuring The Environment 1
Introduction 1
Ancient Greek units 1
Length units 1
Area units 3
Volume units 3
Weight/mass units 3
Roman units 4
Length units 4
Area units 4
Volume units 5
Weight/mass units 6
Chapter 1 Measuring Mass 7
Introduction 7
1.1 The balance scale 8
1.2 The steelyard balance 9
Observations 11
Chapter 2 Measuring Distance 13
Introduction 13
2.1 Jacobs' staff, Astrolabe 14
2.2 Range finders 14
2.2.1 Groma 15
2.2.2 Surveyors' cross 16
2.2.3 Chorobate 17
2.3 The dioptre by Heron 18
2.4 The ancient odometers 21
2.4.1 The odometer by Vitruvius 21
2.4.2 The odometer by Heron 22
Observations 25
Chapter 3 Measuring Time 27
Introduction 27
3.1 The sundial 28
3.1.1 Fixed sundials 30
3.1.1.1 Equatorial sundials 30
3.1.1.2 Horizontal sundials 31
3.1.1.3 Vertical sundials 31
3.1.1.4 Non-planar sundials 31
3.1.2 Portable sundials 32
3.2 Water clocks 34
3.2.1 Early water clocks 34
3.2.2 The water clock by Ctesibius 36
Observations 39
Chapter 4 Ancient Computation Devices 41
Introduction 41
4.1 The abacus 41
4.2 The mesolabio 43
4.2.1 The mesolabio of Heratosthenes 43
4.2.2 The solution by Hippocrates and the mesolabio by Düet;rer 44
4.3 The mechanism of Antikythera 46
4.3.1 The history of the finding 47
4.3.2 Description of the mechanism 48
4.3.3 Technological aspects 53
4.3.4 Planetariums in ancient literature 54
4.3.5 A recent interesting finding 55
Observations 56
Part II Using Natural Energy 61
Chapter 5 Wind Motors 63
Introduction 63
5.1 The wind mills 64
5.1.1 The Afghan mill 64
5.1.2 The Cretan mill 67
5.2 Wings on the sea: Thesails 70
5.2.1 Evolution of the sail rig 74
5.2.2 The Chinese junk 76
5.2.3 The Flettner rotor 77
Observations 79
Chapter 6 Hydraulic Motors 81
Introduction 81
6.1 Water wheels with vertical axis 81
6.1.1 The Greek mill 82
6.1.2 Vertical axis rotor with oblique blades 83
6.2 Water wheels with horizontal axis 86
6.2.1 Undershot water wheels 87
6.2.2 Overshot water wheels 88
6.2.2.1 The wheel of Venafro 89
6.3 The floating mill 92
6.4 Water wheels in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance 94
Observations 96
Part III Using Water 97
Chapter 7 Lifting Water 99
Introduction 99
7.1 The early devices 100
7.2 The Archimedes' screw 101
7.3 Norias 102
7.3.1 Scoop wheel 103
7.3.2 Chain norias 105
7.4 Pumps 107
7.4.1 Chain pumps 107
7.4.2 Reciprocating pumps 109
Observations 118
Chapter 8 Adduction and Distribution of Water 119
Introduction 119
8.1 Open ducts 119
8.2 Penstocks 121
8.3 The great cisterns 122
8.3.1 The Piscina Mirabilis at Miseno 124
8.4 Water distribution systems 125
8.4.1 Piezometric turrets 126
8.5 Pipes 128
8.5.1 Dimensions of the lead pipes 130
8.6 Valves 130
8.6.1 Shut-off valves 131
8.6.2 Single control mixers 132
8.7 Hydraulic mining 133
8.7.1 The technique of "ruina montium" 135
8.7.2 Historical references 136
Observations 140
Chapter 9 Underwater Activities 143
Introduction 143
9.1 Scuba divers 143
9.2 Diving bell 146
Part IV Communication and Telecommunication 149
Introduction 149
The capstan 149
Telecommunication devices 151
Chapter 10 Lift and Transports 153
Introduction 153
10.1 Cranes and tackle 153
10.2 Gravity driven elevators 155
10.3 Roman carts 156
10.4 Railed cargo 162
10.5 The rails of Pompei 165
10.6 Ancient self propelled vehicles 167
10.7 Early ball bearings 170
10.8 Transport on water 172
10.8.1 Early paddle wheeled boats 173
10.8.2 Pneumatic boats 175
10.9 Cableways 179
10.10 The dawn of flight in antiquity 182
10.10.1 Legends and tales 182
10.10.2 Ancient gliders 184
10.10.3 Ancient rockets 185
Observations 188
Chapter 11 Telecommunications 189
Introduction 189
11.1 Acoustic 189
11.2 Carrier pigeons 191
11.3 Optical telecommunication systems 192
11.3.1 Systems based on image modification 193
11.3.2 Systems based on brilliancy modification 197
11.4 Lighthouses 199
11.5 The water telegraph 202
Observations 205
Part V Towards The Modern Age 207
Chapter 12 Secondary Motors 209
Introduction 209
12.1 Flexion elastic motors 211
12.1.1 Metal spring flexion elastic motors 212
12.2 Torsion elastic motors 214
12.3 Pneumatic motors 218
12.3.1 The air spring ballista 219
12.4 Small spring motors 222
12.4.1 Locks and padlocks 223
12.5 Counterweight motors 226
12.5.1 The trebuchet 227
12.6 Ancient steam engines 228
12.6.1 Heron's steam turbine 228
12.6.2 The Architronitro 229
Observations 231
Chapter 13 Spinning And Weaving 235
Introduction 235
13.1 The dawn of spinning and weaving 235
13.2 The spinning wheel 238
13.3 The mechanical spinning wheel 239
13.3.1 The spinning jenny 239
13.3.2 The spinning frame by Arkwright 241
13.3.3 The mule by Crompton 242
13.3.4 The ring frame 243
13.4 Automatic weaving 243
13.4.1 The first programmable loom 244
13.4.2 The programmable looms of the 18th century 245
13.4.3 The automatic loom 246
Observations 247
Chapter 14 Some Applications of Fire 249
Introduction 249
14.1 Fire ignition 250
14.1.1 Optical flints 251
14.2 Marine fire-the Roman candle 253
14.3 Wind lanterns 255
14.4 Fire for warming 256
14.4.1 Domestic heating 257
14.4.2 Thermal heating systems 257
14.4.3 Ancient samovar 260
14.5 Fire for warfare 262
14.5.1 Burning mirrors 262
14.5.2 Flamethrowers 263
14.5.2.1 The flamethrower by Thucydides 263
14.5.2.2 A probable single cylinder pump flamethrower 264
14.5.2.3 Incendiary projectiles 266
14.6 Protection from fire: Asbestos 268
Chapter 15 Automata (Towards Automation and Robots) 269
Introduction 269
15.1 The Hellenistic Age 270
15.1.1 Heron of Alexandria 270
15.1.2 The Roman Empire: The repeating catapult 273
15.2 The Middle Ages 280
15.2.1 A1 Jazari and the Arabs 281
15.2.2 The astronomic clock of Strasbourg 282
15.3 The Renaissance 283
15.4 The 18th century 289
15.5 The 19th century 295
15.6 Automata of the Far East 298
15.7 Between the 2 millenniums 298
Observations 300
Part VI Ancient Building Techniques 303
Stone buildings 303
Opus siliceum-opus poligonalis 303
Opus quadratum 304
Concrete buildings 304
Opus caementitium 304
Opus incertum 305
Opus quasi reticulatum 305
Opus reticulatum 305
Opus latericium 306
Opus spicatum 306
Opus mixtum 306
Opus vittatum-opus listatum 307
Chapter 16 Considerations on Some Ancient Building Techniques 309
Introduction 309
16.1 Polygonal work 309
16.1.1 Construction criteria 310
16.1.2 Theories on the reasons for polygonal work 317
16.2 Concrete 319
Bibliography 327
Index 335
