Historical Mathematical Instruments

Engravings depicting the fabrication and components of mathematical instruments, bookbinding tools, and early hygrometers from the 18th century.

Cutler's workshop from 'Encylopedie' Paris, 1751-1780, edited by Diderot and Dalembert.

Textiles: a loom. Engraving by Bénard after Lucotte.

Plate showing paper sizing process and tools. Engraving from Denis Diderot, Jean Baptiste Le Rond d'Alembert, L'Encyclopedie, 1751-1757. Entitled Papeterie (Paper Manufacturing).

Parts and mechanisms of repeating and alarm watches. Copperplate engraving by Wilson Lowry after a drawing by B. L. Vulliamy, clock and watch maker to the King and Prince Regent, from Abraham Rees' Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, London, 1820.

Engraving depicting James Dewar's vacuum flasks - (top) old flasks for manipulating liquid gases - (bottom) his new vacuum flasks. Sir James Dewar (1842-1923) a Scottish chemist and physicist. Dated 20th Century

Cannon-boring machinery, 18th century. Copperplate engraving by Wilson Lowry after a drawing by John Farey Jr. from Abraham Rees' Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, London, 1808.

Sellier-Carossier, pl. V from 'Encyclopédie ou Dictionnaire Raisonné des Sciences, des Arts et des Métiers', Engraving on paper, France, 1771, Print, Print

Medicine, anatomy, surgery, surgical instruments, including a catheter, a curved chisel, a curette, needles and a bistorium, c. 1700, Historic, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century original.

This 1870s illustration shows Watt's Double-action Steam Engine. James Watt was a Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer. James Watt (1736-1819) was said to have discovered the power of steam when he placed his hand in front of kettle that held a very hot liquid. Watt's improvements to the steam engine were key to the changes that came with the Industrial Revolution.

Navigation: a gimbal compass and a sextant. Engraving.

Processing of pewter, moulds used and final product. Etching by Bénard after Lucotte.

Engineering: a chuck for a lathe, and a stopcock. Engraving by G. Gladwin after J. Clements.

Fan makers: interior view and sections of a fan. Etching by Defehrt after L.J. Goussier.

Botanical and zoological illustration by F. E. Guérin. From Dictionnaire pittoresque d'histoire naturelle et des phénomènes de la nature - 1833/1834

Chemistry: various vessels for distillation. Engraving by Prevost after L.J. Goussier.

Canal swing bridge and canal navigator's tools including barow, grafting tool, shovel, scoop and horsing-block. Copperplate engraving by Wilson Lowry after a drawing by John Farey Jr. from Abraham Rees' Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, London, 1806.

Plate showing elevation and side view of a potter's wheel. Engraving from Denis Diderot, Jean Baptiste Le Rond d'Alembert, L'Encyclopedie, 1751-1757. Entitled Potier de terre (Earthenware Potter).

Electrostatic generator, 1753, engraving

Pl. 3, Memoir 1. Freshwater hydroids.

Surgical instruments, mainly cannulae. Drawing with watercolour.

Science: a pair of blow-pipes (above), and a calculating engine (below). Wood engraving, 1841.

Scorpion, an ancient machine for firing darts. From William Newtons Designs for Vitruvius. Copperplate engraving by N.C. Goodnight from Francis Grose's Military Antiquities respecting a History of the English Army, Stockdale, London, 1812.

Instruments used in the processing of copper. Etching by Bénard after L.J. Goussier.

Surgery: surgical instruments, including instruments to extract the head of a dead foetus and knives. Engraving with etching by A.J. Defehrt after L.-J. Goussier.

Couching instruments. Engraving by Thomas Jefferys.

Two eyeballs with optical nerve look at two balls and a arrow, Sébastien Leclerc (I), 1679 print print maker: Francepublisher: Paris paper etching / letterpress printing .

Textiles: a man looping cord around three dowels (top), details of the dowels and chain (below). Engraving by R. Benard after Radel.

Microscope drawings of plant anatomy with cells and growing points. Lithograph after C. Varley, c.1834.

Antichita trovate a Gozo; Sepolcro trovato a Malta.. Denon, Vivant, 1747-1825. Denon, Vivant (1747-1825). Prints, Illustrations. 1808. General Research Division. Egypt , Description and travel, Antiquities , Maltese, Tombs & sepulchral monuments , Malta

Textiles: lace making, threads stretched across a frame. Engraving by R. Benard after Lucotte.

Engineering: side elevation of the Bramah lifting jib. Engraving by W. Lowry after J. Farey.

Passementier buttonnier, prevost, After Goussier, 1751 - 1772 print About making knots and passions: 2x face at the top in workshop; Different types of tools. From encyclopédie ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des art et métiers by Denis Diderot and Jean le around d'Alembert, Paris, 1751-1772. paper engraving / letterpress printing fashion plates. button

Surgical instruments for lithotomy operations, including knives, ligatures and forceps. Engraving by J. Taylor.

Plate showing fan maker workshop and procedure for assembly of the fans. Engraving from Denis Diderot, Jean Baptiste Le Rond d'Alembert, L'Encyclopedie, 1751-1757. Entitled Eventailliste (Fan Maker).

Johannes Scultetus, Armamentarium chirurgicum

Fig. XLIIX. Hydromylos, tundens, & commonlens, Tribomylos.. Bockler, Georg Andreas. Prints, Drawings, Design drawings. 1662. Rare Book Division. Mechanical engineering, Machinery, Mills and mill-work, Flour & meal industry, Gearing

Surgical instruments. Engraving by Mutlow.

Process of cooling lead, tables and section of the furnace used. Etching by Bénard after L.J. Goussier.

Textiles: tapestry weaving, the cords of a vertical loom. Engraving by R. Benard after Radel.

Folio f 50r. Codex Madrid I (Ms. 8937) "Treaty of statics and mechanics", 192 folios with 384 pages. Internal format: 215 x 145 mm. APPLIED MECHANICS (MACHINES AND WITS). APPLIED MECHANICS (COMPONENTS). Museum: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL DE ESPAÑA, MADRID. Author: LEONARDO DA VINCI.

Distiller and different parts of it individually, Jan Luyken, 1693 print Print at the top right marked: fol. 472. Amsterdam paper etching laboratory (+ tools, instruments; laboratory equipment ~ scientific research)

TELESCOPE-PLACING THE MIRROR INTO TUBE. Author: WILLIAM HERSCHEL 1738-1822 FRIEDRICH WILHELM HERSC. Location: OBSERVATORIO ASTRONOMICO. MADRID. SPAIN.

L. Heister, Institutiones chirurgicae..., 1739

Hydrostatics: scientific equipment. Coloured engraving by J. Emslie, 1850, after himself.

Physical models, Nicolaas van Frankendaal, 1759 print Display of physical models, equipped with numbers and letters. Print in the middle of it marked: Tom. I.4me Leçon. Pl. 6. Amsterdam paper etching physics (+ tools, instruments; laboratory equipment ~ scientific research)

Muscles of the tongue and head. Engraving, 1686.

Duff's draw boy, a thread-arranging machine for a drawloom used in weaving, 19th century. Copperplate engraving by W. Lowry after an Illustration by J. Farey from Abraham Rees' "Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary," London, 1819.

Agriculture: a machine for sowing seed. Engraving by A. Bell.

Textiles: lace making, a worker on a swing at the work (above), details of lace (below). Engraving by R. Benard after Lucotte.

Folio f 12r. Codex Madrid I (Ms. 8937) "Treaty of statics and mechanics", 192 folios with 384 pages. Internal format: 215 x 145 mm. APPLIED MECHANICS (COMPONENTS). APPLIED MECHANICS (MACHINES AND WITS). PRINCIPLES OF MECHANICS, CINEMATICS, DYNAMICS. Museum: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL DE ESPAÑA, MADRID. Author: LEONARDO DA VINCI.

Chemistry: various implements. Engraving by Prevost after L.J. Goussier.

Chemistry: chemical apparatus in use, on an ornamental table. Engraving, 17--.

A sextant Date: 1797

The supposed 'perpetual motion' machine of Solomon Reisel Date: 1683

Various images of laboratory tools, Jan Luyken, Jan Claesz ten Hoorn, 1689

Electricity: an electrometer attached to an electro-static generator. Engraving, 1769.

Chirurgie. A detailed view of baskets designed for the transportation of injured individuals, alongside illustrations of sarcocele abnormalities in men and women. The work was published between 1809 and 1828 in Paris by the Impr. impériale. The extent of the image is 70 x 50 cm

Furnaces including common air furnace, furnaces designed by Dr. Joseph Black, David Mushet and R. and G. Knight of Foster Lane, and portable furnaces by Dr. Joseph Black and R. and G. Knight. Copperplate engraving by Wilson Lowry after a drawing by John Farey from Abraham Rees' Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, London, 1820.

Engineering: loading of wooden beams. Engraving by J. Davis after Tredgold, 1820.

Hydraulics: two devices. Woodcut, 1659.

Plate showing a kitchen scene and tools. Engraving from Denis Diderot, Jean Baptiste Le Rond d'Alembert, L'Encyclopedie, 1751-1757. Entitled Patissier (Pastry maker).

Surgical instruments: five figures, including forceps. Pen and ink drawing, 1850/1910

Elementos de Matematica (Elements of Mathematics), by the Spanish architect and mathematician Benito Bails (1730-1797). Trigonometric calculations. Engraving. Volume I, which treats elements of arithmetic, trigonometry and geometry. Published in Madrid, 1779.

. Print at the top right labeled: No 2.

Hunting: a trap for a ploughed field (top), and details of a trap for roosting birds (below) Engraving, c.1762, by Prevost after Goussier.

Surgical instruments for amputations. Engraving by Mutlow.

Sections through furnaces for the reduction of antimony. Copperplate engraving by Wilson Lowry from Abraham Rees' Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, London, 1802.

Mercurial Air-holder and Breathing Machine. Plate at the begining of Research 1: Concerning the Analysis of Nitric Acid and Nitrous Gas and the Profuction if Nitrous Oxide. Fig 1 Represent a section of the machine, which consists of a strong glass cylinder (A), cemented to one of the same kind (B), fitted to the solid block (C), into which the glass tube (D) is cemented for conveying air into the moveable receiver (E). The brass axis (Fig 2, F) having a double bearing at (a, a) is terminated at one end by the wheel (G), the circumference of which equal to the depth of the receiver, so that it mat be drawn to the surface of the mercury by the cord (b) in one revolution; to the other end is fitted the wheel (H) front view seen in Fig 3...

Treatment of a horse with glanders; examples of ploughing machinery and a flax spinning machine (). Etching, 1760/1820

Mushrooms, Leaf with different types of mushrooms. Numbered top right: 365. With the Latin names. Part of the fourth album with drawings of flowers and mushrooms. Eleventh of twelve albums with drawings of animals, birds and plants known around 1600, commissioned by Emperor Rudolf II. With explanation in Dutch, Latin and French, mushrooms, Anselmus Boetius de Boodt, 1596 - 1610, paper, watercolor (paint), deck paint, chalk, ink, pen, h 267 mm × w 155 mm

Various images of retorts and distiller devices, A-D and E-H, Jan Luyken, 1689 print Print at the top right marked: no 1. Amsterdam paper etching laboratory (+ tools, instruments; laboratory equipment ~ scientific research). pharmacy, pharmaceutics

Sanitary toilets with flushing tank and siphoned and ventilated devices without mechanism. Old 19th century engraved illustration from La Nature 1886

Left, Raw's grooved catheter; right, bladder of a male. Engraving with etching.

Plan, elevation and section of the Kelvin Aqueduct, built by Robert Whitworth, over the Forth River, Scotland, 1790. Copperplate engraving by Wilson Lowry after a drawing by John Farey from Abraham Rees' Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, London, 1819.

Two plates on one page depicting antiquities found in Gozo and a tomb discovered in Malta. Published in 1829 by H. Gaugain in Paris, the illustrations are part of a work on Egypt, description and travel, and specifically focus on Gozo Island in Malta

The breeding of silk worms, 1775. Artist: Unknown

Recueil de planches, sur les sciences, les arts libéraux, et les arts méchaniques : avec leur explication 1762-72 Denis Diderot Chiefly engraved plates (some double, some folded) accompanying "Encyclopédie, ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers." Livraison 5-10 also called volume 6-11.. Recueil de planches, sur les sciences, les arts libéraux, et les arts méchaniques : avec leur explication 707455

Plate XIII, Surgical instruments used on the tonsils and soft palate.

Greek, Roman and Egyptian antiquities. Engraving.

Design 1841-84 Charles Hindley and Sons British. Design 367270

Clocks: diagrams of the motions of composite pendulums. Engraving by Mutlow.

Perspective of Lathe. Date: 1860. Ink and watercolor on paper. Museum: HIRSHHORN MUSEUM AND SCULPTURE GARDEN.

Hydraulics: a lobed water-pump mechanism. Engraving by Mutlow after Blunt.

Horology: Escapements, from pl. XXXIII from 'A Cyclopaedia of Horology - Rees's Clocks Watches and Chronometers', Abraham Rees, 1743 - 1825, Engraving on paper, England, 1810-1842, Print, Print

Destillators and a net to catch birds. Three performances on a leaf. Upstairs: two distillation boilers. Below: a net to catch birds.

The so-called Priam's Treasure discovered by archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann (1822-1890), print

Elevation and cross-section of Normandie salt works and used instruments. Etching by Bénard after L.J. Goussier.

Folio f 10v. Codex Madrid I (Ms. 8937) "Treaty of statics and mechanics", 192 folios with 384 pages. Internal format: 215 x 145 mm. PRINCIPLES OF MECHANICS, CINEMATICS, DYNAMICS. APPLIED MECHANICS (COMPONENTS). Museum: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL DE ESPAÑA, MADRID. Author: LEONARDO DA VINCI.

Bobesches, candlesticks and dome.. Illustrations. 1908 - 1913. Science, Industry and Business Library: General Collection. Electric light fixtures

Cross-sections and plans of blast furnaces, early 19th century. Copperplate engraving by Wilson Lowry after an illustration by David Mushet from Abraham Rees' Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, London, 1804.

A page from an encyclopaedia: items beginning with "Ga" including gauges. Engraving.

Musical instruments of the ancient Hebrews. Harp, lyres, flute, psaltery, organ, horn, panpipes, bagpipes, drum, trumpet, bell, sistrum, triangle, rattle, etc. Strumenti musicali. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Andrea Bernieri from Giulio Ferrarios Costumes Ancient and Modern of the Peoples of the World, Il Costume Antico e Moderno, Florence, 1847.

Fig. LXXII. Gnaphicomylos, sive pannum constipans mola. Ghanphycomylos.. Bockler, Georg Andreas. Prints, Drawings, Design drawings. 1662. Rare Book Division. Mechanical engineering, Machinery, Mills and mill-work, Waterwheels, Fulling mills

Sellier-Carossier, pl. XI from 'Encyclopédie ou Dictionnaire Raisonné des Sciences, des Arts et des Métiers', Engraving on paper, France, 1771, Print, Print

Folio f 11r. Codex Madrid I (Ms. 8937) "Treaty of statics and mechanics", 192 folios with 384 pages. Internal format: 215 x 145 mm. APPLIED MECHANICS (COMPONENTS). PRINCIPLES OF MECHANICS, CINEMATICS, DYNAMICS. Museum: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL DE ESPAÑA, MADRID. Author: LEONARDO DA VINCI.

Agriculture: a plough and other farming implements. Coloured engraving by J. Pass, 1810.

Instruments used in the refining of saltpetre. Etching by Bénard after L.J. Goussier.

Smellie's surgical instruments used to assist childbirth: short curved forceps and catheter. Copperplate engraving by Andrew Bell after an illustration by Jan van Rymsdyk from William Smellie's A Set of Anatomical Tables, Charles Elliot, Edinburgh, 1780.

Two kinds of anal fistulas, instruments recommended by Rungius (surgeon in Bremen) to cure anal fistulas and various probes and needles for the treatment Engraving with etching.

Sound: l) Condensed and rarified wound waves: 2) Echoes: 4) Megaphone: 5) Ear trumpet: 6) Speaking tube: 7: The Ear: 10-20) Musical instruments From educational print published Wurtemberg c1850.

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