Islamic Science and EngineeringMuslim scientists and engineers contributed enormously to the technology of medieval Europe, both by preserving earlier traditions and by adding their own inventions and innovations. This introduction to the physical sciences and engineering of the Islamic world is the first to trace the full extent of that achievement in the period 750-1500. Using drawings and photographs, as well as iconographic and archaeological evidence to enhance material from Arabic sources, it gives careful explanations of the underlying principles of scientific formulae, machines and constructions, examining the historical background of Islamic technology and its subsequent effect upon European science and engineering. Covering mathematics, astronomy, physics and chemistry, as well as bridge and dam construction, irrigation systems, surveying and mining techniques, this is an ideal introduction to a subject which has received little attention in the past. |
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Page 191
... staff meant that the staff had to be moved a short distance nearer to the other staff . The movement of one divi- sion caused a displacement in the plumb - line , and a mark was inscribed at its new position The end of the chain was ...
... staff meant that the staff had to be moved a short distance nearer to the other staff . The movement of one divi- sion caused a displacement in the plumb - line , and a mark was inscribed at its new position The end of the chain was ...
Page 193
... staff . A ring was fixed to each end of the cord . One of them was permanently attached to a staple at the side of the graduated staff and the other was held by the surveyor . Now it must be admitted that the instructions for the use of ...
... staff . A ring was fixed to each end of the cord . One of them was permanently attached to a staple at the side of the graduated staff and the other was held by the surveyor . Now it must be admitted that the instructions for the use of ...
Page 195
... staff . The author points out that because the gallows is shorter than half the length of the level staff , there will be fewer divisions below the centre of the plate than above it ; this is correct , although it is incorrectly ...
... staff . The author points out that because the gallows is shorter than half the length of the level staff , there will be fewer divisions below the centre of the plate than above it ; this is correct , although it is incorrectly ...
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Common terms and phrases
Abbasid abutment al-Bīrūnī al-Jazarī al-Jazari's al-Karaji alchemy Arabic arch bridges astrolabe astronomers automata axle Baghdad Banu Mūsà beam built Caliphs canals cantilever bridge Central Asia centre channel Chapter clock construction copper cord Cordoba course cubits cylinder Damascus described devices diameter distance East Egypt engineering Europe European example excavated feet Figure flow gear-wheel gold Greek Hellenistic hole horizontal hydraulic Iberian peninsula Ibn al-Haytham Ibn Hawqal important instrument Iran Iraq iron irrigation Islamic world Kitāb known Latin masonry measuring mechanical medieval metal method metres mills mines modern Muslim noria North Africa operation original Oxus Persian pipe plate province qanats qibla river Roman rotated Samarqand Sasanid Seistan sexagesimal shaft side silver sources Spain spans staff stone survey surveyor Syria tank tenth century Tigris timber tions translated treatises trebuchet tube twelfth century Umayyads valve vertical water-clocks water-raising machines water-wheel weight wheel