Theatre des instrumens mathematiques & mechaniques

Besson, Jacques, (Mathematician), Béroalde de Verville, 1556-, Androuet du Cerceau, Jacques, active 1549-1584, illustrator, Boyvin, René, approximately 1525-approximately 1598, illustrator, Hofer, Philip, 1898-1984, former owner. DSI · 1578 · A Lyon : Par Barthelmy Vincent · 5 pictures

A 1578 Lyon edition of Jacques Besson's mechanical treatise, with plates by Jacques Androuet du Cerceau and René Boyvin, intended for engineers, craftsmen and mathematicians. The engraved plates show machines in working detail: a lifting device with a large wheel, a screw-driven drive with a geared wheel and horse-powered mechanism, and a stepped cone-and-bar frame with geometric base profiles. A designer might take the crisp hatched line work and the clear, diagrammatic layout of mechanical parts.

Mechanical engineering · Machinery

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