Medieval Technology

8/2/2019 Medieval Technology

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Medieval technology

Architecture and construction

Artesian well(1126)A thin rod with a hard iron cutting edge is placed in the bore hole and repeatedly struck with a

hammer, underground water pressure forces the water up the hole without pumping. Artesian

wells are named after the town of Artois in France, where the first one was drilled by Carthusian

monks in 1126.

Central heatingthroughunderfloor channels(9th century AD)

In the early medieval Alpine upland, a simpler central heating system where heat travelled

through underfloor channels from the furnace room replaced the Romanhypocaustat some

places. InReichenau Abbeya network of interconnected underfloor channels heated the 300 m

large assembly room of the monks during the winter months. The degree of efficiency of the

system has been calculated at 90%.[4]

Rib vault(12th)

Essential element for the rise ofGothic architecture. Allowed vaults to be built for the first time

over rectangles of unequal lengths. Also greatly facilitated scaffolding. Largely replaced

oldergroin vault.

Chimney(12th century)

The earliest true chimneys appeared in Northern Europe during the 12th century, and with them

came the first true fireplaces.

Segmental arch bridge(1345)

ThePonte Vecchioin Florence is considered medieval Europe's first stone segmental arch

bridge.

Treadwheel crane(1220s)

Earliest reference to atreadwheelin archival literature in France about 1225,[5]followed by an

illuminated depiction in a manuscript of probably also French origin dating to 1240.[6]Apart from

tread-drums, windlasses and occasionally cranks were employed for powering cranes.[7]

Stationary harbor crane(1244)

Stationary harbor cranes are considered a new development of the Middle Ages, its earliest use

being documented for Utrecht in 1244.[8]The typical harbor crane was a pivoting structure

equipped with double treadwheels. There were two types: wooden gantry cranes pivoting on a

central vertical axle and stone tower cranes which housed the windlass and treadwheels with

only jib arm and roof rotating.[1]These cranes were placed docksides for the loading and
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unloading of cargo where they replaced or complemented older lifting methods likesee-

saws,winchesandyards.[8]Slewing cranes which allowed a rotation of the load and were thus

particularly suited for dockside work appeared as early as 1340.[9]

Floating crane

Beside the stationary cranes, floating cranes which could be flexibly deployed in the whole port

basin came into use by the 14th century.[1]

Mast crane

Some harbour cranes were specialised at mounting masts to newly built sailing ships, such as

in Danzig, Cologne and Bremen.[1]

Wheelbarrow(1170s)

Proved useful in building construction, mining operations, and agriculture. Literary evidence for

the use of wheelbarrows appeared between 1170 and 1250 in North-western Europe. First

depiction in a drawing byMatthew Parisin the middle of the 13th century.
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Renaissance technology

15th century

Cranked Archimedes screw

The German engineerKonrad Kyeserequips in

hisBellifortis(1405) the Archimedes screw with a crank

mechanism which soon replaces the ancient practice of working

the pipe by treading.[22]

Cranked reelIn the textile industry, crankedreels for winding skeins of yarn

were introduced in the early 15th century.[23]

Brace

The earliest carpenter's braces equipped with a U-shaped grip,

that is with acompound crank, appears between 1420 and 1430

inFlandres.[2]

Cranked well-hoist

The earliest evidence for the fitting of a well-hoist with cranks is

found in a miniature of c. 1425 in the German Hausbuch of the

Mendel Foundation.[24]

Paddle wheel boat powered by crank and connecting rod

mechanism

While paddle wheel boats powered by manually

turnedcrankshaftswere already conceived of by earlier writers

such asGuido da Vigevanoand theAnonymous Author of the
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Hussite Wars,[25]

the ItalianRoberto Valturiomuch improves on

the design in 1463 by devising a boat with five sets of parallel

cranks which are all joined to a single power source by

oneconnecting rod; the idea is also taken up by his

compatriotFrancesco di Giorgio.[26]

Rotary grindstone with treadle

Evidence for rotary grindstones operated by a crank handle goes

back to theCarolingianUtrecht Psalter.[27]Around 1480, the crank

mechanism is further mechanized by adding atreadle.[28]

Geared hand-mill

The geared hand-mill, operated either with one or two cranks,

appears in the 15th century.[23]
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Ancient Greek technology

Technology

Date Comment

Streets

ca.

400BC

Example: The Porta

Rosa (4th-3rd century

BC) was the mainstreet of Elea (Italy).

It connects the

northern quarter with

the southern quarter.

The street is 5 meters

wide and has an

incline of 18% in the

steepest part. It is

paved with limestoneblocks, griders cut in

square blocks, and
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on one side a small

gutter for the

drainage of rain

water. The building is

dated during the time

of the reorganization

of the city duringHellenistic age.(4th to

3rd centuries BC)

Cartogr

aphy

ca.600

BC

First widespread

amalgamation ofgeographical maps

developed by

Anaximander.
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Rutway

ca.

600BC

The 6 to 8.5 km

long Diolkos represen

ted a rudimentary

form of railway.[7]

Caliper6th c.

BC

Earliest example

found in

the Giglio wreck near

the Italian coast. The

wooden piece already

featured one fixed

and a movable

jaw.[8][9]

Truss

roof

550

BC[10]

See List of Greco-

Roman roofs

Crane

ca.

515

BC

Labor-saving device

which allowed the

employment of small
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and efficient work

teams on

construction sites.

Later winches were

added for heavy

weights.

Escape

ment

3rd

centu

ry BC

Described by

the Greek engineer P

hilo of Byzantium (3rd

century BC) in his

technicaltreatise Pneumatics(

chapter 31) as part of

a washstand automat

on for guests washing

their hands. Philon's

comment that "its

construction is similar
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to that of clocks"

indicates that such

escapements

mechanism were

already integrated in

ancient water

clocks.[11]

Tumble

r lock

ca.

5th c.

BC

The tumbler lock, as

well as other

varieties, was

introduced to Greecein the 5th century BC.

Gears

ca.

5th c.

BC

Developed further

than in prehistoric

times for a variety of

practical purposes.

Plumbi ca. Excavations at
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ng 5th c.

BC

Olympus as well as

Athens have revealed

extensive plumbing

systems for baths

and fountains as well

as for personal use.

Spiral

staircase

480-

470BC

The earliest spiral

staircases appear in

Temple A

in Selinunte, Sicily, to

both sides ofthe cella. The temple

was constructed

around 480-470

BC.[12]

Urban

plannin

g

ca.

5th c.

BC

Miletus is one of the

first known towns in

the world to have a
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumbinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_staircasehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_staircasehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_staircasehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_staircasehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selinuntehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_planninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_planninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_planninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_planninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Koldewey-Sicilien-vol2-table15-detail01.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_planninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_planninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_planninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selinuntehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_staircasehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_staircasehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_staircasehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumbing


11/29

grid like plan for

residential and public

areas. It

accomplished this

feat through a variety

of related innovations

in areas such assurveying.

Crossb

ow

ca.

5th c.BC

The Greeks made

use of a handheld

crossbow called

the gastraphetes.

Winch 5th c.BC

The earliest literary

reference to a winch

can be found in the

account of Herodotus

of Halicarnassus on
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossbowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossbowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossbowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greekshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastrapheteshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herodotus_of_Halicarnassushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herodotus_of_Halicarnassushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gastraphetes_Rekonstruktion_Saalburg.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herodotus_of_Halicarnassushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herodotus_of_Halicarnassushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastrapheteshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greekshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossbowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossbow


12/29

the Persian

Wars(Histories7.36),

where he describes

how wooden winches

were used to tighten

the cables for a

pontoon bridgeacross the Hellespont

in 480 B.C. Winches

may have been

employed even

earlier inAssyria,

though. By the 4th

century BC, winch

and pulley hoists

were regardedby Aristotle as

common for
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Persian_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Persian_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assyriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assyriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assyriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Persian_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Persian_Wars


13/29

architectural use

(Mech. 18; 853b10-

13).[13]

Wheelb

arrow

5th c.

BC

Two building material

inventories for

408/407 and 407/406

B.C. from the temple

of Eleusis list, among

other machines and

tools, a one-wheeler

(hyperteriamonokyklou).[14]

Shower

s

4th c.

BC

A shower room for

female athletes with

plumbed-in water is

depicted on an

Athenian vase. A

whole complex of
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelbarrowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelbarrowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelbarrowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleusishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Showershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Showershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Showershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sportspersonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sportspersonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Showershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Showershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleusishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelbarrowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelbarrowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-12


14/29

shower-baths was

also found in a 2nd

century

BC gymnasium at Per

gamum.[15]

Central

heating

ca.

350

BC

Great Temple of

Ephesus was

warmed by heated air

that was circulated

through flues laid in

the floor.

Lead

sheathi

ng

ca.

350

BC

To protect a ships

hull from boring

creatures.

see Kyrenia ship

Astrola

be

ca.

300

First used around 200

B.C. by astronomers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnasium_(ancient_Greece)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pergamumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pergamumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_heatinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_heatinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyrenia_shiphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrolabehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrolabehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrolabehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrolabehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrolabehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyrenia_shiphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_heatinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_heatinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pergamumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pergamumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnasium_(ancient_Greece)


15/29

BC in Greece. Used to

determine the altitude

of objects in the sky.

Canal

lock

early

3rd c.

BC

Built intoAncient

Suez

Canal under Ptolemy

II (283

246

BC)[16][17][18]

AncientSuez

Canal

early3rd c.

BC

Opened by Greek

engineers under Ptol

emy II (283

246 BC),following earlier,

probably only partly

successful

attempts[19]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_(water_transport)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_(water_transport)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Suez_Canalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Suez_Canalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Suez_Canalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Suez_Canalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Suez_Canalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemy_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemy_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Suez_Canalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Suez_Canalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Suez_Canalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_engineeringhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_engineeringhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemy_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemy_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemy_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemy_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_engineeringhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_engineeringhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Suez_Canalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Suez_Canalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Suez_Canalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemy_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemy_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Suez_Canalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Suez_Canalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Suez_Canalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_(water_transport)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_(water_transport)


16/29

Lightho

use

ca.3rd c.

BC

The Lighthouse of

Alexandria was

designed and

constructed

by Sostratus of

Cnidus.

Water

wheel

3rd c.

BC

First described

by Philo of

Byzantium (ca. 280

220 BC)[20]

Alarm

clock

3rd c.

BC

The Hellenistic engineer and

inventor Ctesibius (fl.

285222 BC) fitted

hisclepsydras with

dial and pointer for

indicating the time,

and added elaborate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighthousehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighthousehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighthouse_of_Alexandriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighthouse_of_Alexandriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sostratus_of_Cnidushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sostratus_of_Cnidushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_wheelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_wheelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo_of_Byzantiumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo_of_Byzantiumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alarm_clockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alarm_clockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenistichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ctesibiushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floruithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_clockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_clockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PHAROS2006.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_clockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floruithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ctesibiushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenistichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alarm_clockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alarm_clockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo_of_Byzantiumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo_of_Byzantiumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_wheelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_wheelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sostratus_of_Cnidushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sostratus_of_Cnidushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighthouse_of_Alexandriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighthouse_of_Alexandriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighthousehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighthouse


17/29

"alarm systems,

which could be made

to drop pebbles on a

gong, or blow

trumpets (by forcing

bell-jars down into

water and taking thecompressed air

through a beating

reed) at pre-set

times"

(Vitruv 11.11).[21]

Odomet

er

ca.

3rd c.BC

Odometer, a device

used in the late

Hellenistic time and

by Romans for

indicating distance

traveled by a vehicle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitruvhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odometerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odometerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odometerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odometerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitruv


18/29

was invented

sometime in the 3rd

century BC. Some

historians attribute it

to Archimedes, others

to Hero of Alexandria.

It helped revolutionizethe building of roads

and travelling by

them by accurately

measuring distance

and being able to

illustrate this with a

milestone.

Chain

drive

3rd c.

BC

First described

by Philo of

Byzantium. The

device powered
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_of_Alexandriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_drivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_drivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo_of_Byzantiumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo_of_Byzantiumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo_of_Byzantiumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo_of_Byzantiumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_drivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_drivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_of_Alexandriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedes


19/29

a repeating

crossbow, the first

known of its kind.[22]

Cannon

ca.

3rd c.

BC

Ctesibius of

Alexandria invented a

primitive form of the

cannon, operated by

compressed air.

Double-

action

principl

e

3rd c.

BC

Universal mechanical

principle which was

discovered andapplied first by the

engineer Ctesibius in

his double action

piston pump which

later was developed

further by Heron to

a fire hose (see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repeating_crossbowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repeating_crossbowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-Soedel_.26_Foley-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ctesibiushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_hosehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_hosehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ctesibiushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-Soedel_.26_Foley-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repeating_crossbowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repeating_crossbow


20/29

below).[23]

Levers ca.260

BC

First described about260 BC by the

ancient Greek

mathematician

Archimedes.

Although used in

prehistoric times, they

were first put to

practical use for more

developedtechnologies in

Ancient Greece.

Watermill

ca.

250

BC

The use of water

power was pioneered

by the Greeks: The

earliest mention of a

water mill in history
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-Smithsonian:_Old_World.2C_High_Tech-22http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Levers&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Levers&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_millhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_millhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_powerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_powerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_powerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_powerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_millhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_millhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Levers&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-Smithsonian:_Old_World.2C_High_Tech-22


21/29

occurs

in Philo'sPneumatics

, previously been

regarded as a later

Arabic interpolation,

but according to

recent research to beof authentic Greek

origin.[24][25]

Three-masted

ship

(mizzen

)

c.

240

BC:

First recorded

for Syracusiaas wellas

other Syracusan (mer

chant) ships

underHiero II of

Syracuse[26]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo_of_Byzantiumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mast_(sailing)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mizzenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syracusiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syracusanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiero_II_of_Syracusehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiero_II_of_Syracusehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiero_II_of_Syracusehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-25http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-25http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiero_II_of_Syracusehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiero_II_of_Syracusehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syracusanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syracusiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mizzenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mast_(sailing)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo_of_Byzantium


22/29

Gimbal3rd c.

BC

The inventor Philo of

Byzantium (280-220

BC) described an

eight-sidedink pot

with an opening on

each side, which can

be turned so that anyface is on top, dip in a

pen and ink it-yet the

ink never runs out

through the holes of

the side. This was

done by the

suspension of the

inkwell at the center,

which was mountedon a series of

concentric metal rings
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimbalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimbalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo_of_Byzantiumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo_of_Byzantiumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rotating_gimbal-xyz.gifhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo_of_Byzantiumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo_of_Byzantiumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimbal


23/29

which remained

stationary no matter

which way the pot

turns itself.[27]

Dry

dock

ca.

200

BC

Invented in Ptolemaic

Egypt some time after

the death ofPtolemy

IV Philopator (reigned

221-204 BC) as

recorded

by Athenaeus ofNaucratis.

Fore-

and-aft

rig (spri

tsail)

2nd

c. BC

Spritsails, the earliest

fore-and-aft rigs,

appeared in the 2nd

c. BC in the Aegean

Sea on small Greek

craft.[28]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rotating_gimbal-xyz.gifhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rotating_gimbal-xyz.gifhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rotating_gimbal-xyz.gifhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rotating_gimbal-xyz.gifhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-26http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-26http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_dockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_dockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemaic_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemaic_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemy_IV_Philopatorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemy_IV_Philopatorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemy_IV_Philopatorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athenaeus_of_Naucratishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athenaeus_of_Naucratishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fore-and-aft_righttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fore-and-aft_righttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fore-and-aft_righttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spritsailhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spritsailhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegean_Seahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegean_Seahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-Casson_1995.2C_243.E2.80.93245-27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Museum_f%C3%BCr_Antike_Schiffahrt,_Mainz_02._Spritsail.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-Casson_1995.2C_243.E2.80.93245-27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegean_Seahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegean_Seahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spritsailhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spritsailhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fore-and-aft_righttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fore-and-aft_righttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fore-and-aft_righttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athenaeus_of_Naucratishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athenaeus_of_Naucratishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemy_IV_Philopatorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemy_IV_Philopatorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemaic_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemaic_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_dockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_dockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-26


24/29

Air and

water

pumps

ca.

2nd

c. BC

Ctesibius and various

other Greeks of

Alexandria of the

period developed and

put to practical use

various air and water

pumps which serveda variety of purposes,

such as a water

organ.

Sakia g

ear

2nd

c. BC

First appeared in 2ndBC Hellenistic

Egypt where pictorial

evidence already

showed it fully

developed[29]

Surveyi

ng

ca.

2nd

Various records

relating to mentions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenistic_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenistic_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveyinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveyinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveyinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveyinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenistic_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenistic_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulics


25/29

tools c. BC of surveying tools

have been

discovered, mostly in

Alexandrian sources,

these greatly helped

the development of

the precision ofRoman Aqueducts.

Analog

comput

ers

ca.

150

BC

SeeAntikythera

mechanism

Fire

hose

1st c.

BC

Invented by Hero in

the basis of Ctesibius'

double action piston

pump.[23] Allowed for

more efficient fire

fighting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveyinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_computershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_computershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_computershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_hosehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_hosehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-Smithsonian:_Old_World.2C_High_Tech-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NAMA_Machine_d'Anticyth%C3%A8re_1.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-Smithsonian:_Old_World.2C_High_Tech-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_hosehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_hosehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_computershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_computershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_computershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveying


26/29

Vendin

g

machin

e

1st c.

BC

The first vending

machine was

described by Hero of

Alexandria. His

machine accepted a

coin and then

dispensed a fixedamount of holy water.

When the coin was

deposited, it fell upon

a pan attached to a

lever. The lever

opened up a valve

which let some water

flow out. The pan

continued to tilt withthe weight of the coin

until it fell off, at
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27/29

which point a

counter-weight would

snap the lever back

up and turn off the

valve.[23]

Wind

vane

50

BC

The Tower of the

Winds on

the Romanagorain A

thens featured atop a

wind vane in the form

of abronze Triton holding

a rod in his

outstretched hand

rotating to the wind

blowing. Below,

its frieze was adorned

with the eight wind
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-Smithsonian:_Old_World.2C_High_Tech-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_vanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_vanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_the_Windshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_the_Windshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Romehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agorahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athenshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athenshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triton_(mythology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friezehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friezehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triton_(mythology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athenshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athenshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agorahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Romehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_the_Windshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_the_Windshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_vanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_vanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-Smithsonian:_Old_World.2C_High_Tech-22


28/29

deities. The 8 m high

structure also

featured sundials and

a water clock inside

dates from around 50

BC.[30]

Clock

tower

50

BC

SeeClockTowe

r.[31]

Automa

tic

doors

ca.

1st c.

AD

Hero of Alexandria, a

1st century BC

inventor

from Alexandria,Egypt, created

schematics for
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundialhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_clockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clock_towerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clock_towerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-30http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_of_Alexandriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tower_of_the_Winds.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_of_Alexandriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-30http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clock_towerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clock_towerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_clockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundial


29/29

automatic doors to be

used in a temple with

the aid of steam

power.[23]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_technology

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_technology

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_technology

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_technology

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filippo_Brunelleschi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-Smithsonian:_Old_World.2C_High_Tech-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filippo_Brunelleschihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filippo_Brunelleschihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filippo_Brunelleschihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_technology#cite_note-Smithsonian:_Old_World.2C_High_Tech-22

Documents

Medieval Technology