Ingenium: Five Machines That Changed the World - Hardcover

Denny, Mark

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0801885868 ISBN 13: 9780801885860

Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2007

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author

After earning a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Edinburgh University, Mark Denny pursued research at Oxford University from 1981 to 1984, then moved into a career in industry. For nearly twenty years he developed radar and sonar systems for several multinational aerospace corporations. He is now retired and lives on Vancouver Island.

Review

"Denny has produced a book that is both educational and entertaining."

(Physics World)

"This book will give the reader an appreciation of the effectiveness of ancient technology. It will also be a useful reference for engineering and physics instructors."

(Eugene E. Nalence Science Books and Films)

"User friendly, filled with humor and practicality... not only 'technology wizes' but 'history buffs' and humanists too will enjoy and profit from this book."

(Ilia Stambler European Legacy)

"The subject matter is extremely well described."

(Brian Gee School Science Review)

"A well-written, illustrated, and informative book that is readable to all but the mentally lazy."

(Choice)

"[Ingenium] is a good place to learn how they actually worked and how far they could effectively serve the purposes of those who made and used them."

(Alex Keller Technology and Culture)

"A wonderful combination of history and physics. It is superbly written and contains a wealth of fascinating details. After the historical insights, the physics is explained in a user-friendly, nontechnical way. Denny's wry humor is fun to read and made me laugh out loud."

(Mark Kidger, author of Astronomical Enigmas)

Edition details

• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0801885868
• ISBN 13: 9780801885860
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 200