Mathematical Methods in Preindustrial Technology and Machines

The book De architectura by the Roman architect and engineer Vitruvius (first century AD) became known in the 12th century; nearly all the works of Archimedes (3rd century BC) were translated by William of Moerbeke in 1269, from Greek into Latin; and the peripatetic Mechanica on mechanical problems was translated into Latin in the early 13th century. But these writings had no influence on the practice of medieval craftsmen who did not understand Latin. Moreover, even Vitruvius did not know mathematical statics, only empirical rules. Arches or vaults did not play a real role in his thinking. Utility had traditionally not been a consideration in science, only in the arts and crafts, while technology had got along quite successfully without any assistance from science (Drake 1976). The physics of Aristotle was designed to explain the causes of things, not to be of use to the engineer, the architect or the builder.