We live in an age in which one can easily think that our generation has invented and discovered almost everything; but the truth is quite the opposite. Progress cannot be considered as sudden unexpected spurts of individual brains: such a genius, the inventor of everything, has never existed in the history of humanity. What did exist was a limitless procession of experiments made by men who did not waver when faced with defeat, but were inspired by the rare successes that have led to our modern comfortable reality. And that continue to do so with the same enthusiasm. The study of the History of Engineering is valuable for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that it can help us to understand the genius of the scientists, engineers and craftsmen who existed centuries and millenniums before us; who solved problems using the devices of their era, making machinery and equipment whose concept is of such a surprising modernity that we must rethink our image of the past.

Table of Contents:
Preface; PART I : MEASURING THE ENVIRONMENT: Introduction; Ancient Greek units; Length units; Area units; Volume units; Weight/mass units; Roman units; Length units; Area units; Volume units; Weight/mass units; Chap. 1 - MEASURING MASS: Introduction; 1.1 The balance scale; 1.2 The steelyard balance; Observations; Chap. 2 - MEASURING DISTANCE : Introduction; 2.1 Jacobs' staff, Astrolabe; 2.2 Range finders; 2.2.1 Groma; 2.2.2 Surveyors' cross; 2.2.3 Chorobate; 2.3 The dioptre by Heron; 2.4 The ancient odometer; 2.4.1 The odometer by Vitruvius; 2.4.2 The odometer by Heron; Observations; Chap. 3 - MEASURING TIME : Introduction; 3.1 The sundial; 3.1.1 Fixed sundials; 3.1.1.1 Equatorial sundials; 3.1.1.2 Horizontal sundials; 3.1.1.3 Vertical sundials; 3.1.1.4 Non-planar sundials; 3.1.2 Portable sundials; 3.2 Water clocks; 3.2.1 Early water clocks; 3.2.2 The water clock by Ctesibius; Observations; Chap. 4 - COMPUTATION DEVICES: Introduction; 4.1 The abacus; 4.2 The mesolabio; 4.2.1 The mesolabio of Heratostenes; 4.2.2 The solution by Hippocrates and the Mesolabio by Durer; 4.3 The mechanism of Antikitera; 4.3.1 The history of the finding; 4.3.2 Description of the mechanism; 4.3.3 Technological aspects; 4.3.4 Planetariums in ancient literature; 4.3.5 A recent interesting finding; Observations; PART II - USING NATURAL ENERGY: Chap. 5 - WIND MOTORS: Introduction; 5.1 The wind mills; 5.1.1 TheAfghan mill; 5.1.2 The Cretan mill; 5.2 Wings on the sea: the sails; 5.2.1 Evolution of the sail rig; 5.2.2 The Chinese junk; 5.2.3 The Flettner rotor; Observations; Chap. 6 - HYDRAULIC MOTORS: Introduction; 6.1 Water wheels with vertical axis; 6.1.1 The Greek mill; 6.1.2 Vertical axis rotor with oblique blades; 6.2 Water wheels with horizontal axis; 6.2.1 Undershot water wheels; 6.2.2 Overshot water wheels; 6.2.2.1 The wheel of Venafro; 6.3 The floating mill; 6.4 Water wheels in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance;Observations; PART III - USING WATER: Chap. 7 - LIFTING WATER: Introduction; 7.1 The early devices; 7.2 The Archimedes' screw; 7.3 Norias; 7.3.1 Scoop wheel; 7.3.2 Chain norias; 7.4 Pumps; 7.4.1 Chain pumps; 7.4.2 Reciprocating pumps; Observations; Chap. 8 - ADDUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF WATER: Introduction; 8.1 Open ducts; 8.2 Penstocks; 8.3 The great cistern; 8.3.1 The Piscina Mirabilis at Miseno; 8.4 Water distribution systems; 8.4.1 Piezometric turrets; 8.5 Pipes; 8.5.1 Dimensions of the lead pipes; 8.6 Valves; 8.6.1 Shut-off valves; 8.6.2 Single control mixers; 8.7 Hydraulic mining; 8.7.1 The technique 'Ruina Montium'; 8.7.2 Historical references; Observations; Chap. 9 - UNDERWATER ACTIVITIES: Introduction; 9.1 Scuba divers; 9.2 Diving bell; PART IV - COMMUNICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATION: Introduction; The capstan; Telecommunication devices; Chap. 10 - LIFT AND TRANSPORTS: Introduction; 10.1 Cranes and tackle; 10.2 Gravity driven elevators; 10.3 Roman charts; 10.4 Railed cargo; 10.5 The rails of Pompei; 10.6 Ancient self propelled vehicles; 10.7 Early ball bearings; 10.8 Transport on water; 10.8.1 Early paddle wheeled boats; 10.8.2 Pneumatic boats; 10.9 Cableways; 10.10 The dawn of flight in antiquity; 10.10.1 Legends and tales; 10.10.2 Ancient gliders; 10.10.3 Ancient rockets; Observations; Chap. 11 - TELECOMMUNICATIONS : Introduction; 11.1 Acoustic; 11.2 Carrier pigeons; 11.3 Optical telecommunication systems; 11.3.1 Systems based on image modification; 11.3.2 Systems based on brilliancy modification; 11.4 Lighthouses; 11.5 The water telegraph; Observations; PART V - TOWARDS THE MODERN AGE: Chap. 12 - SECONDARY MOTORS : Introduction; 12.1 Flexion elastic motors; 12.1.1 Metal spring flexion elastic motors, 12.2 Torsion elastic motors; 12.3 Pneumatic motors; 12.3.1 The air spring ballista; 12.4 Small spring motors; 12.4.1 Locks and padlocks; 12.5 Counterweight motors; 12.5.1 The trebuchet; 12.6 Ancient