Theater of Machines: Lifting Devices

Mechanicus, or on Mechanical Arts and Disciplines, edited in Strasbourg in 1580 in quarto, to which he added the description of the excellent and world-renowned clock in the so-called Cathedral original: "Münster" (the Strasbourg Cathedral) there, for which he made the entire layout and calculation at the request and command of the city magistrates. Since he has executed the matter well, but the book is in Latin and in few hands, one does not doubt that it will be pleasant to many readers.

§. 2.

Conrad Dasypodius's Heron Mechanicus.

A large ornamental drop-cap 'G' decorated with floral motifs.Just as there is a noticeable difference to be found not only in those arts and sciences that consist in mere reflection and in the contemplation of a matter, but also in those that consist in actual practice and depend on certain manual skills; so the Mechanica mechanics is to be counted among the latter. For this reason, those who had a true insight into this science were already counted among the philosophers in the past. For where the natural philosopher reflects on the capacity and the operation of a matter, a mechanic, on the other hand, exerts himself with equally sharp reflection, as well as with tireless diligence and excellent art, to work out and produce something with his hands that may be either useful and necessary to common civic life, or pleasant and agreeable to the mind, as well as being suitable for daily use.

Every sensible and wise man, and indeed one well-endowed with either innate or learned skill, is naturally fashioned in such a way that he makes a complete concept of a matter from many other rules and his own exact observations, and then he is diligent to imitate the same as much as possible, and to bring it into a sketch and model quite similar to it. Next, he is also diligent that the thing invented through his reflection be perfect, both in terms of the invention and the work, and that it possess the three main qualities: that it be beautiful, useful, and durable; which three pieces, where he attains them, awaken nothing but uncommon pleasure in him. For if the work is beautiful, the master's science is praised above all; if it is useful, it is held in high regard by some sensible people; if it is durable and lasting, the fame of his virtues, understanding, and diligence will also remain eternal.

Thus we read of the ancient philosophers and mechanics that they applied themselves to these arts and sciences, and strove through great reflection, diligence, and tireless work to the point where they, as much as humanly possible, might facilitate human actions through their clever ideas and reflections, even through the most difficult undertakings, and promote the common good through their inventions. For the orderly end goal of an art is and should be, and an artist's intention should go toward, the creation of such a work which may bring him fame, and which he, as well as others, may either derive a benefit from, or which may awaken pleasure in others.

If, therefore, a mechanic has devised something through his ingenious invention and especially through the diligence applied thereto, which another cannot easily imitate, he certainly deserves fame. But if this contributes to the promotion and improvement of common life, he is rightly to be rewarded for his effort spent upon it. If, on the other hand, the invention awakens pleasure because of its cleverness and serves only for amusement, this often draws the favor and grace of great men upon itself.