Ingenium is medieval English vernacular for "an ingenious
contrivance." In this fascinating book, physicist Mark Denny
considers five such contrivances -- the bow and arrow, the
waterwheel, the counterpoise siege engine (including the
trebuchet), the pendulum clock anchor escapement, and the
centrifugal governor -- and demonstrates how they literally changed
the world. Interweaving an entertaining narrative with diagrams,
equations, and drawings, Denny shares the history of each device,
explains the physics behind it, and describes how it was used, how
it evolved, and why it is significant in today's world.
Consider the bow and arrow, which transformed warfare by
allowing soldiers to attack their enemies at a safe distance. Or
the waterwheel, which enabled Old World civilizations to grind
grain, pump water, and power machines during a period of extreme
labor shortages. Medieval warriors engaged in an early form of
biological warfare by using the trebuchet to launch dead animals or
plague-ridden corpses over enormous fortress walls. The pendulum
clock forever enslaved modern humans to the clock by linking the
accurate measure of time to the burdens of schedules, deadlines,
promptness, and tardiness. And the centrifugal governor gave rise
to an entire branch of modern engineering science: feedback
control.
Reflecting on the inventors of these ancient machines and the
times in which they lived, Denny concludes with thought-provoking
observations about inventors, inventiveness, genius, and
innovation. Whether you dream of making a better mousetrap or
launching pumpkins into the stratosphere, Ingenium will tickle your
fancy.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
