Gears

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvi

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Vincenzo Vullo

   Pages 1-6

3. The First Pre-scientific Age: From the Down of Technological Man to the Bird of Science

   • Vincenzo Vullo

   Pages 7-19

4. The First Scientific Age and Birth of the Science: From the Beginning of Hellenism to the Diaspora of Scientists of the Museum of Alexandria

   • Vincenzo Vullo

   Pages 21-56

5. The Second Pre-scientific Age: From the Diaspora of Alexandrian Scientists to the Renaissance

   • Vincenzo Vullo

   Pages 57-130

6. The Second Scientific Age: From Galileo to Today

   • Vincenzo Vullo

   Pages 131-236

7. Correction to: The First Scientific Age and Birth of the Science: From the Beginning of Hellenism to the Diaspora of Scientists of the Museum of Alexandria

   • Vincenzo Vullo

   Pages C1-C2

8. Back Matter

   Pages 237-246

   PDF

This book provides a compact history of gears, by summarizing the main stages of their development and the corresponding gradual acquisition of engineering expertise, from the antiquity to the Renaissance and the twentieth century. This brief history makes no claim to be exhaustive, since the topic is so extensive, complex and fascinating that it deserves an entire encyclopedia. Despite its brevity, the book debunks a number of popular misconceptions, such as the belief that the first literary description of a gear was supplied by Aristotle. It disproves not only this myth, but also other peremptory statements and/or axiomatic assumptions that have no basis in written documents, archaeological findings or other factual evidence. The book is chiefly intended for students and lecturers, historians of science and scientists, and all those who want to learn about the genesis and evolution of this topic.

• historical development of gears
• history of machine science
• history of engineering
• material strength theory
• solid mechanics
• gears

“The book is intended for … practicing and research engineers in the field of mechanical engineering.” (Clementina Mladenova, zbMATH 1473.70002, 2021)

• University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy

  Vincenzo Vullo

Vincenzo Vullo was professor at University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy, where he taught Mechanical Design. His main research areas include mechanical structures, analysis of rotors, plates and shells, advanced design in automotive and railway industry and finite element method of analysis. He is author of about 180 scientific papers and he is a member of a number of professional societies, including ASME and SAE.​

Policies and ethics