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Welcome to explore the History of the World Engineering |
| We offer a large variety of educational outreach programs. Demonstrations are supported by lectures and printed materials. Some of our models are unique and have never been displayed in a museum context.To see models in action, please click on links below |
Latest event at University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
and Ryerson University Science Rendezvous, Toronto,ON
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Ancient and Medieval Siege Engines
A catapult is a device used to throw or hurl a projectile a great distance without the aid of explosive devices. Although the catapult has been used since ancient times, it has proven
to be one of the most effective mechanisms during warfare. Catapults were invented by the ancient Greeks. The word 'Catapult' comes from the two Greek words "kata" (downward)
and "pultos" (a small circular battle shield).
Katapultos was then taken to mean "shield piercer".
Our module on designing and engineering Medieval Catapults was developed for classroom use.
It's an excellent project for grade levels 6 and up. The catapults can be incorporated
into science and history classes to discuss simple machines like levers, ratchet wheels and shafts.
It also provides a good opportunity to speak about efficiency, kinetic and potential energy and aerodynamics.
And, of course, we are going to
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Water Raising Machines of the Past
Throughout history, the supply of water for drinking, domestic, irrigation and industrial purposes has always been a vital
consideration in all countries.
The problem has always consisted of finding effective means of raising water from its source.
Comparing evidence from the surviving remains with known examples of ancient
engineering - and supporting these theories with modern engineering principles
– experts were able to reconstruct a unique machine, which in its original
form would have been capable of raising water. Several ideas of great Italian military Engineer Agostino Ramelli are presented in this collection.
We offer an extremely interesting presentation using a real water. On the picture you can see "Jantu". This machine was
invented in India at the very Ancient Time. You cannot miss it! |
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Engineering for Kids. Rolling Ball MachinesWhat is a rolling ball device? A rolling ball device may be defined as a mechanism or group of mechanisms, for the sake of art or utility, which uses the action of a ball or balls moving in either a constrained or unconstrained path to actuate the various effects of the mechanisms. Rolling ball machines can be serious or playful, artistic or scientific, the product of engineering or the result of tinkering. No sooner does one list a taxonomy of all rolling ball devices when someone comes up with a new type. |
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Architecture and Construction Machines of Middle AgeDid you think everything in the Middle Ages was done painstakingly by hands? Think again! How did those huge blocks of stone get to the top of the cathedral? Machine Power! These were not gas or electric powered engines, but rather construction machines were powered by water, by air, by animals, or even by Men running in their own wheels! Please, see Working Models Video |
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Leonardo da Vinci MachinesLeonardo has often been described as the archetype of the "Renaissance man" or universal genius, a man whose seemingly infinite curiosity was equaled only by his powers of invention. As an engineer, Leonardo conceived ideas vastly ahead of his own time, conceptualizing a helicopter, a tank, concentrated solar power, a calculator, and the double hull. |
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Perpetual Motion Machines The term perpetual motion, taken literally, refers to
movement that goes on forever. However, perpetual motion usually refers to a device or
system that delivers more energy than was put into it.
Such a device or system would be in violation of the law of Conservation of Energy,
which states that energy can never be created or destroyed, and is therefore deemed
impossible by the laws of physics. Our working models assist us to better explain
the impossibility of Perpetual Motion. It's excellent tool to discuss first and second Laws of Thermodynamics,
Hydrostatic equilibrium Law, Law of Gravity, efficiency, friction,...
Please, be advised: These Videos are of motorized versions that were built to illustrate how these machines were supposed to work in the minds of Inventors. |
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Paul Scheerbart (1863–1915) The Story of an Invention He was a novelist, playwright, poet, newspaper critic, draughtsman, visionary, proponent of glass architecture, and would-be inventor of Perpetual Motion Please,watch the Video |
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Linkages and LeversLinkages and levers are the basic of mechanical engineering. A mechanical linkage is a series of rigid links connected with joints to form a closed chain, or a series of closed chains. Each link has two or more joints, and the joints have various degrees of freedom to allow motion between the links. The principle of leverage can be derived using Newton's laws of motion, and modern static. It is important to note that the amount of work done is given by force times distance. |
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Ancient Chinese InventionsThe history of science and technology in China is both
long and rich with many contributions to world development.
Invented in China between the first and third centuries, A.D., the South Pointing Chariot is one of
the most complex mechanisms of the ancient world. Due to the action of Differential Gearing, the figure on top
always points in the same direction regardless of which way the chariot is pulled, pushed or turned.
Discover South Pointing Chariot
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