Theater of Machines: Lifting Devices

...other works of art, some of which have been counted among the wonders of the world, and partly through the conquering and ruling of many peoples and lands. They have actually preserved their memory so much that their high names have remained immortal to this day. Although such memorials have been founded and erected in many ways, sometimes through high intellect, wisdom, power, and vast sums of money, yet none of these could have been accomplished without special knowledge of the mechanical arts. For it is mechanics that provides craftsmen and artists not only with the tools and instrumenta instruments to prepare such artificial things, but also directs them toward machines and lifting devices to do everything with advantage, and to accomplish with few men tasks that a whole country would often not be able to perform. To mention only in passing, the whole of Italy would not have been able to erect a single obelisk, such as the Vatican one, without mechanical artifice. It is mechanics that makes the soldier armored, providing him with spear, sword, armor, and various pieces of artillery. Mechanical inventions have made weak kingdoms victorious over strong ones, and the weak have, through the help of mechanics, successfully protected themselves against the mighty.