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Peaucellier's Linkage
Part 4: Epilogue
According to Courant and Robbins, "What is Mathematics," Peaucellier's
linkage is the first linkage to turn circular motion into
mathematically exact linear motion. Engineers had long been eager to
invent such a device to convert the circular motion of wheels or
turbines into the linear motion of pistons and pumps, and vice-versa.
James Watt invented a similar such device for use in his steam engine,
but it was only approximate. However, by 1864, when naval officer
Peaucellier found this linkage, effective lubricants made it
no longer technologically significant. For more information and
another such linkage, see Richard Courant and Herbert Robbins, "What
is Mathematics," Oxford University Press, 1941.
Further Study:
Mechanical
Linkages in Geometer's Sketchpad -- Four different linkages from the
Math Forum.
Next: Peaucellier's Linkage Homework
Up: Peaucellier's Linkage Table of Contents
Prev: Another Look at the Linkage
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Created: Jun 09 1996 ---
Last modified: Jun 11 1996