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Mathematical Magick, published in London in 1680, is one of the earliest books on mechanical engineering housed in the institution’s library. Its author, John Wilkins, describes the “mechanical arts”, giving various examples of inventions and devices, and principles relating to logic, science and maths.
The volume is beautifully illustrated with nine engravings and woodcuts. The IMechE’s copy was presented to the institution by Henry Adams on 11 August 1921.
Wilkins was an Anglican clergyman who rose to become the Lord Bishop of Chester. He was also a natural philosopher and a founder of the new natural theology which was compatible with the science of the time.
Wilkins was one of the founders of the Royal Society and also headed a college at the University of Oxford and another at the University of Cambridge. He was learned in a number of subjects and he devised the decimal system which would later become the metric system.
In his book, Wilkins writes knowledgeably about the inventions of his time and also of the past, often making references to Archimedes and Aristotle.
In one chapter, Wilkins examines balance and weight and how in ancient times scales were manipulated to achieve false outcomes in order to benefit the merchants.
Here he describes how scales work if they are not constructed precisely and symmetrically: “If the sides of the beam be not equally divided, as suppose one have 10 parts and the other 11; then any two weights that differ according to this proportion (the heavier being placed on the shorter side, and the lighter on the longer) will equiponderate; and yet both the scales being empty, will hang in æquilibrio, as if they were exactly just and true…”
In another chapter Wilkins examines motion and the notion of wind power as energy to fuel vehicles such as the “flying chariot” or “sailing chariot”. He quite rightly makes the point “…what could be more delightful or better husbandry, than to make use of the wind (which costs nothing, and eats nothing) instead of horses?”
Wilkins demonstrates his awareness of mechanical inventions around the world by mentioning the use of the wind chariots in the Champion plains in China and experiments conducted with chariots in Spain.
He particularly celebrates the chariot invented by Stephinus in the Netherlands, “that it did far exceed the speed of any ship… in two hours space it would pass from Sceveling to Putten”. This chariot had a body shaped like a boat with four wheels and two sails like those of a ship.
Other topics discussed in this eclectic book include automata, levers, mechanical motions and the natural motion of living creatures, wheels, pulleys, wedges, screws, catapults, and a comparison of ancient engines and the gunpowder instruments of Wilkins’ time.
Did you know? Treasure trove for research
The full title of Wilkins’ book is Mathematical magick: Or, the wonders that may be performed by mechanical geometry concerning mechanical powers, motions being the most easie, pleasant, useful (and yet most neglected) part of mathematicks not before treated in this language.
Researchers can ask to consult the special collections by contacting the library. Email: library@imeche.org