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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.

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Author: Evelyn Sander
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Created: Jun 09 1996 --- Last modified: Jun 11 1996