As Dr Needham's immense undertaking gathers momentum it has been found necessary to subdivide volumes into parts, each to be bound and published separately. The first part of Volume 4, already published, deals with the physical sciences; the second with the diverse applications of physics in the many branches of mechanical engineering; and the third will deal with civil and hydraulic engineering and nautical technology. With this part of Volume 4, then, we come to the application by the Chinese of physical principles in the control of forces and in the use of power; we cross the frontier separating tools from the machine. We have already noticed that the ancient Chinese concept of chhi (somewhat similar to the pneuma of the Greeks) asserted itself prominently in acoustics; but we discover here that the Chinese tendency to think pneumatically was also responsible for a whole range of brilliant technological achievements, for example, the double-acting piston-bellows, the rotary winnowing-fan, and the water-powered metallurgical blowing-machine (ancestor of the steam-engine); as well as for some extraordinary insights and predictions in aeronautics.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Dr Needham's fourth volume traces the development of physics and physical technology in ancient and medieval China. It is conveniently divided into three separate parts, the present volume, IV:1, dealing with physics as such, IV:2 with mechanical engineering and IV:3 with civil engineering and nautics.
"[An] astonishing and enduring study...[Needham brings] depth of emotion and technical finesse to his task."
Jonathan Spence, New York Review of Books
"Perhaps the greatest single act of historical synthesis and intercultural communication ever attempted by one man."
Laurence Picken, Cambridge University
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Missing. First Edition. Cambridge, 1965. First edition. Very good. No dust jacket. Dust jacket flaps laid in: "Dr. Needham approaches this vast subject by way of discussion of the basic elements of all machines, and then moves to an analysis of the fundamental types of machine found in Chinese books and iconographic tradition. This enables him to set up a balance-sheet of transmissions between East and West. Then sets forth on a full-scale study of land transport, discussing in turn vehicles and types of harness. Animal traction is seen as a major source of power. The other is water. Chinese hydraulic engineering is one of the wonders of the world.the impulse behind Dr. Needham's writings is the desire to.correct the grievously distorted Western notion of the Chinese as otherworldly, un-scientific, anti-technological. What began as an attempt to set the record to rights has developed into one of the most remarkable works of our time." Ships from Dinkytown in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Due to the size/weight of this book extra charges may apply for international shipping. Seller Inventory # 314824
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