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The Development of Machine Design as a Science from Classical Times to Modern Era

  • Conference paper
International Symposium on History of Machines and Mechanisms

Abstract

Developments in natural philosophy and the scientific method in the 6th and 5th Centuries BCled to rapid development of engineering design in the 4th to 1st Centuries BCin the Greek and Hellenistic world, reaching maturity in the Roman Empire after the 2nd Century ADwhen Greek mathematical works started being translated into Latin. Design rules and concepts were practiced extensively by the engineers of ancient times leading to machine design from machine elements to the design of a machine as a system. Purely mechanical treatises on machinery go back to the 4th century BC.For the solution of mechanical problems and the design of equipment many basic scientific principles had to be explained at this time, and also trial and experimentation was established. The process of engineering design evolution from the 4th century BCup to modern era is discussed here.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Eng&Aeronautics, University of Patras, 265 00 Patras, Greece

    Thomas G. Chondros

Authors
  1. Thomas G. Chondros
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Mechanical Engineering, Nat. Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan R.O.C

    Hong-Sen Yan

  2. Dipto. Meccanica, Strutture, Università Cassino, Ambiente e Territorio Via G. di Biasio, 43, 03043 Cassino, Italy

    Marco Ceccarelli

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Chondros, T.G. (2009). The Development of Machine Design as a Science from Classical Times to Modern Era. In: Yan, HS., Ceccarelli, M. (eds) International Symposium on History of Machines and Mechanisms. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9485-9_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9485-9_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-9484-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-9485-9

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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