The Greatest Mechanical invention

A number of years back there where articals in ME on the development of machinetools, including the milling machine, and lathe. Also articals on block making machinery, and stock making machinery,the latter imported from the USA in the 19th cent, and used up untill the 1950s (I think), used by Enfield, but theres others who know more about these. Ian S C

John,

The Brunel in question is Mark (1769-1849). He was IK's dad. Interestingly, after leaving France he spent some time in the US before settling in England.

The real point is that these breakthrough don't tend to spring fully formed from one man's brain. They are the result of a bits of work done here and there by various people. They come together when there is a major problem that needs the solution. In the case of Brunel it was the critical lack of blocks for the rigging of naval ships. With Colt, who was really a salesman and showman rather than an engineer, it was the Mexican border wars and the US civil war needing guns.

Jared Diamond's excellent Guns, Germs and Steel expands on this theme in his history of human development.

cheers,

Rod

Drat, too late to edit. I meant Marc

Rod

The Brunel in question was the French engineer Marc Isambard Brunel - 1876 - 1849 born in Hacqville, Normandy. He was driven out of France during the revolution as a monarchy sympathiser during the 'Reign of Terror' but fell in love with a certain daughter of an English girl -  Sophie Kingdom while in Rouen. He went to work in the USA but emigrated back to England where he married his love Sophie and they named their son Isambard Kingdom in celebration of that love. The rest is history. It pays to check it out.

BTW unlike Whitneys efforts in no way can you describe Maudslays work as 'Pretty Rough'. I suggest you get up close to the Block Making machinery (1803) , or Maudslays screwcutting lathe and then you will appreciate precision and craftsmanship.

Best regards

Terry

Edited By Terryd on 17/10/2012 21:54:40

Hi,

Spot the error in my previous post:

"The Brunel in question was the French engineer Marc Isambard Brunel - 1876 - 1849 born in Hacqville, Normandy."

Should of course have read:

"The Brunel in question was the French engineer Marc Isambard Brunel - 1776 - 1849 born in Hacqville, Normandy."

Regards and sorry,

Terry

How about the 'Differential Gear' ? first known application over 1000 BC in China and still in use today.

"North Pointing Chariot"

Neil

Hi Michael,

thanks for the link, it was an interesting and novel way to present the theories we learnt so far back in our Engineering training. I particularly liked the slomo camera work revealing the beauty involved in a variety of processes, including the jug. Pity he didn't try to explain the use of differential calculus and the entropy equation, he passed over that somewhat - I suppose that he didn't want frighten too many people with the mathematics at which the general population are so poor in the UK. I wish that my lecturers had tried to make the subject of thermodynamics more sexy, I might have taken my studies further.

It also just goes to show that the steam engine (among other devices) was not an 'invention' but the culmination of many folks work over many years and a natural progression of development. I also liked the discussion of the Tokomak. and the guy who said that it was the work of scientists and Engineers. I remember well a quotation by an eminent professor of Engineering (I forget his name unfortunately) who said,

"A scientist will find you a new star, but it will take an Engineer to make it".

And engineers are making it in the Tokomak. It's just a pity that every time there is a new development it is always presented on TV etc as 'scientists have discovered.......', never are Engineers credited for the work. Perhaps that is why Engineering is held in such low esteem by the bulk of the population.

Thanks again

Terry

I've always thought that the greatest was the invention of the screw thread, first I can think of was Archimedes and his screw used to lift water.

As the screw is just an extension of a lever you then argue that the lever is the first if not the greatest!

just my 2p worth.

peter

And engineers are making it in the Tokomak. It's just a pity that every time there is a new development it is always presented on TV etc as 'scientists have discovered.......', never are Engineers credited for the work. Perhaps that is why Engineering is held in such low esteem by the bulk of the population

------

That's a good point

"Scientists discover new star"

"Scientists discover this... scientists do that..."

What with?

Dedicated Engineered tools

NEW HEADLINE

"Scientists discover nothing without engineers"

Terry,

Glad you enjoyed the programme ... he is certainly one of the best "outreach" presenters, and I was delighted to see the improvement in production/graphics [presumably a new team]

By the way; I think this is the origin of your quote:

Gordon Lindsay Glegg ... The Design of Design (1969)

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 19/10/2012 10:01:19

Spot on , I'm looking at it on my study bookshelf right now, well not exactly, I'm looking at my keyboard now, but you know what I mean.

Regards and thanks again,

Terry

Actually Peter that's not quite correct. The screw is an extension of the inclined plane. In effect an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder to form the helix.

Hi Neil and Gray,

The chariot in question was used by the Emperors of ancient China in their regal processions around the country.  It was a favourite Meccano model, I believe that it was 'Model of the Month' in a Meccano Magazine, I'll look it up.

Best regards

Terry

Edited By Terryd on 19/10/2012 11:50:41

Hi Neil,

I knew something was wrong and I had a nagging at the back of my tiny brain, It is actually a South seeking chariot. Apparently the Chinese worshipped South because the sun was at it's highest there! I have seen two explanations for it's use, one is to impress on ceremonial processions, the other is a direction finding device, essentially a compas,s used by the Chinese military on their expeditions on the steppes. They have been dated to around 2640 BC. There is one in the Science Museum apparently, but I've never seen it. It was once thought to be magnetic until the mechanism was revealed. Take your pick.

Regards

Terry

Hi Terry,

I understand that, if anything, it was a 'not very accurate help you follow a bearing in featureless terrain when it's cloudy chariot'

Neil

Neil / Terry

Try this ...

and this.

MichaelG.

P.S.

Yes, I believe he was the G. H. Lanchester.

[apologies for the multiple edits]

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 19/10/2012 22:26:22

Pen and paper or their derivities.

Cheers Michael.

Spell checker on! See post on Self Adulation.

Michael,

[quote] "Spell checker on!"

That's interesting ... I thought the word was derivatives.

If the word "derivities" does exist, then please expand my vocabulary.

MichaelG.

Hi All

Stephen Potter lives......

Cheers

John

Edited By John McNamara on 20/10/2012 14:44:37

Hi Michael,

I trust that you mean derivatives.

Derivative means Something that is based on another source. so the derivatives of pen and paper would be something like typewriter or keyboard and printer.

I suspect that you meant forerunner which would be clay tablet and stylus, or ink and papyrus etc? Accurate and precise use of language is important, see post on self adulation

Best regards

Terry

Edited By Terryd on 20/10/2012 15:45:53