Publication Date
16th century (CE, Gregorian)
Type
Book
Language
Arabic
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
Yes
Pages Count
1
Library
Qatar Digital Library
Library Asset ID
Add MS 23391, ff 21r-25v
Record ID
vdc_100023493171.0x000002
Library Location
British Library: Oriental Manuscripts
Date
16th century (CE, Gregorian)
Notes
Treatise on the design and construction of an hydraulic flute playing machine. The treatise is attributed to 'Apollonius the carpenter and geometer (Apollonius the geometric carpenter)', who some have identified as the geometer Apollonius of Perga (Ἀπολλώνιος; Apollonius; fl ca 200 BC).
Beginnings (f. 21r, lines 11-15):
...The workmanship of Al-Zamir Ilathus (!) the carpenter
The engineer takes a well-groomed box made of asphalt or lead
Its entire interior is four cubits in width and four spans in height
Two and a half spans, and it is covered in the middle with a veil all over
His sides...
Ends (f. 25, lines 6-11):
...So the water came out
The whole closet was emptied and the other closet was still working
Until the time reaches, then he stops and starts the first one that was empty
He works and then empties this machine, and this machine continues to work as it was intended
God willing, praise and favor be to Him alone, and may His prayers be upon Muhammad, His Prophet
And his pure family
The treatise contains four diagrams:
Tanks containing two pierced floats, two concentric siphons and two valves (f. 22v);
Tanks with two concentric siphons with valves and rods (f. 23r);
Air pipes and flute at top of machine (f. 24v);
Upper section of machine with water-wheel, gears and cam (f. 25v).
Erişim Koşulları
Unrestricted
Seçilmiş kaynakça
Edition, translation and study:
Donald R. Hill, Kamal Shehadeh and Richard P. Lorch, 'Construction of a Fluting Machine by Apollonius the Carpenter',
Zeitschrift für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften
, 9 (1994-95), 326-56
