Science and Civilisation in China, Part 2, Mechanical EngineeringAs Dr Needham's immense undertaking gathers momentum it has been found necessary to subdivide volumes into parts, each to be bound and published separately. The first part of Volume 4, already published, deals with the physical sciences; the second with the diverse applications of physics in the many branches of mechanical engineering; and the third will deal with civil and hydraulic engineering and nautical technology. With this part of Volume 4, then, we come to the application by the Chinese of physical principles in the control of forces and in the use of power; we cross the frontier separating tools from the machine. We have already noticed that the ancient Chinese concept of chhi (somewhat similar to the pneuma of the Greeks) asserted itself prominently in acoustics; but we discover here that the Chinese tendency to think pneumatically was also responsible for a whole range of brilliant technological achievements, for example, the double-acting piston-bellows, the rotary winnowing-fan, and the water-powered metallurgical blowing-machine (ancestor of the steam-engine); as well as for some extraordinary insights and predictions in aeronautics. |
Contents
page | xiii |
List of Abbreviations | xxxvii |
Authors Note | xliii |
2 Wheels and gearwheels pedals and paddles p | 73 |
3 Pulleys drivingbelts and chaindrives p | 94 |
4 Crank and eccentric motion p | 111 |
5 Screws worms and helicoidal vanes p | 119 |
6 Springs and spring mechanisms p | 126 |
d Types of machines described in Chinese works p | 165 |
e Vehicles for land transport p | 243 |
f Powersources and their employment I Animal trac | 303 |
g Hydraulic engineering I Waterraising machinery | 330 |
h Powersources and their employment II Water flow | 362 |
BIBLIOGRAPHIES | 603 |
GENERAL INDEX | 662 |
Table of Chinese Dynasties | 754 |
Other editions - View all
Science and Civilisation in China, Part 2, Mechanical Engineering Joseph Needham Limited preview - 1965 |
Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 4, Physics and Physical Technology ... Joseph Needham No preview available - 1965 |
Common terms and phrases
already ancient appearance astronomical beginning called century Chang Chhi Chih Chin China Chinese Ching Chou clock connection constructed continuous course described device discussed drawing dynasty earlier early emperor engineering Europe European evidence example facing fact figure further gearing given gives harness horizontal illustrations imperial important interesting invention iron Italy kind known Kung late later machine machinery means mechanical mentioned mill Ming motion natural origin passage perhaps period picture present probably Record reference rotary rotated says Sect seems seen shafts Shih shows sphere Sung term Thang Thien traditional turn vehicles vertical Wang water-wheel Western wheel Yuan
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