Ancient Machine Technology: From Wheels to Forges

by Michael Woods, Mary B. Woods

Traces the history of machine technology from ancient times and discusses the influence of machines in modern times.

96 pages, Library Binding

First published August 1, 2010

Reviews

[Gustavus Cliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am SO glad we read this book!
My son was just about to turn three when we checked this out. He is a voracious little engineer and reader.
In the past year and a half since reading this book, I can't tell you how many times we have referenced the 6 simple machines. It's safe to say we have referenced them a LOT though, and every time I think, "Oh my gosh I am so glad we read that book!"

I recall the book itself being a little difficult to understand - perhaps not it's fault since it's text describing real things. But it got us into youtube videos about simple machines, and we found the Primitive Technology channel that way, so it's all good :)

[Lucas Western · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael and Mary B. Woods brought an interesting and informative title with the creation of Ancient Machine Technology. The book explores how simple machines were used in life predating the industrial revolution. It explains and gives information regarding the creation and use of not only simple machines, but of other unique machines used in ancient times, such as the Archimedes screw, “The Archimedes Screw was a device used to pump water from rivers and irrigation canals. The screw was a hollow shaft with a spiral tube inside” (64). Up until reading this book, I had no idea what the Archimedes Screw was, or what it was composed of. Now I know who invented it, when it was invented, and how it works and what it is composed of. The Woods do a very good job of excellently, accurately, and precisely delivering you information on ancient machines.


The theme of this book is machines, simple or more complex. The book's aim is to educate someone on the way machines worked and when they were made. Every sentence gives more information on a given machine. Each chapter goes over a specific ancient civilization and the specific ancient machines they used or invented. For example this quote from chapter two, which is about ancient Middle Eastern civilizations. “A pulley is a wheel with a grooved rim. The groove is designed to hold a rope or chain” (19). The people of the ancient Middle Eastern civilizations are believed to be the first to develop and use pulley systems. Another quote from chapter three, the Egyptians, demonstrates the organizing of this book very well. “An inclined plane is a flat surface that slopes up and down” (31). Now while the Egyptians’ are not not the first civilization to use a ramp, they were the first to take advantage of it while building the pyramids. Which is why inclined planes were included in the Egyptian section.


Ancient Machine Technology is an expository piece of literature that aims to enlighten you on the history and workings of some of the first machines man built. “A spear thrower is another kind of lever. Ancient people used spear throwers to help them throw spears farther. The front end of the spear thrower rested in a hunter's hand, along with the spear” (11). This quote brilliantly displays the writing style of the book. The Woods write in a way the gives you as much information in as few words as possible, while all still making sense. In only three sentences you get four bits of information; you learn what machine it originates from, what it does, and where your hand goes, and where the spear is.


Ancient Machine Technology was a very helpful and informative book. While I was already proficient in knowledge of machines, this book expanded my knowledge on it, and held my attention the whole length of the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who desires a career in engineering. While it does not provide mountain's worth of equations, it expands on basic knowledge and the history of machines.

[Gibson Zach · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think the book "Ancient Machine Technology" was very interesting in the fact that it taught me about how so many of our simplest machines and toys even were created so long ago. Like the wheel, the wheel was long before my time and is still used to this very day in our everyday life. Such as the wheels on our cars, the wheels on a grocery cart, and even the wheels on a wheelchair. Every thing with a wheel got its basic start from our ancestors years ago. The wedge was also created around the same time of the wheel and also still used widly to this day. Wedges such as a door stop wouldnt be here today if it wasnt for the ancient people of the world, another use of wedges is to keep planes in place while they are not in use.
I think this was an interesting book because of what I learned but it is not my type of book and I would prefer not to read anything like it again. I would still recomend this to those who are interested in how we came to have so much of what we do today though.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and informative with tidbits and facts. Very readable.