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(as of Nov 27, 2025 13:48:32 UTC – Details)
Epicyclic trains, oblique rollers, trip hammers, and lazy-tongs are among the ingenious mechanisms defined and illustrated in this intriguing collection. Spanning the first century of the Industrial Revolution, this 1868 compilation features simplified, concise illustrations of the mechanisms used in hydraulics, steam engines, pneumatics, presses, horologes, and scores of other machines.
The movements of each of the 507 mechanisms are depicted in drawings on the left-hand page, and the facing page presents a brief description of the item’s use and operation. Ranging from simple to intricately complex, the mechanisms offer a fascinating view of the variety of small components that constitute complex machinery. A detailed index provides easy reference to specific mechanisms.
Inventors, tinkerers, and anyone with an interest in the history of invention and technology will find this volume a treasury of information and inspiration.
From the Publisher
507 Timeless Mechanisms Every Engineer, Inventor, and Maker Should Know

Visual Learning Made Easy: Each mechanism is paired with a clean, detailed illustration for intuitive understanding – no engineering degree required.A Historical Goldmine: Explore the brilliant mechanical innovations that fueled the first century of the Industrial Revolution.From Simple to Sophisticated: Discover everything from basic gear systems to complex epicyclic trains and trip hammers.
Publisher : Dover Publications
Publication date : August 15, 2005
Edition : 1st
Language : English
Print length : 96 pages
ISBN-10 : 0486443604
ISBN-13 : 978-0486443607
Item Weight : 5.1 ounces
Dimensions : 6.14 x 0.24 x 7.09 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #210,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #24 in Machinery Engineering (Books) #35 in Physics of Mechanics #119 in History of Technology
Customer Reviews: 4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,210 ratings var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
Customers say
Customers find this book to be a valuable reference resource, particularly for engineers, and appreciate its complete list of mechanical movements and interesting exploration of simple mechanisms. The illustrations receive mixed feedback – while some praise the nice collection of old mechanical drawings, others note the drawings are often vague. The book entertains customers for hours and is thought-provoking, serving as a good exercise in mechanical thinking. While some customers consider it good value for the price, others find it not worth the money.