Author: Steven Vogel
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 022659968X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 340
Book Description
There is no part of our bodies that fully rotates—be it a wrist or ankle or arm in a shoulder socket, we are made to twist only so far. And yet there is no more fundamental human invention than the wheel—a rotational mechanism that accomplishes what our physical form cannot. Throughout history, humans have developed technologies powered by human strength, complementing the physical abilities we have while overcoming our weaknesses. Providing a unique history of the wheel and other rotational devices—like cranks, cranes, carts, and capstans—Why the Wheel Is Round examines the contraptions and tricks we have devised in order to more efficiently move—and move through—the physical world. Steven Vogel combines his engineering expertise with his remarkable curiosity about how things work to explore how wheels and other mechanisms were, until very recently, powered by the push and pull of the muscles and skeletal systems of humans and other animals. Why the Wheel Is Round explores all manner of treadwheels, hand-spikes, gears, and more, as well as how these technologies diversified into such things as hand-held drills and hurdy-gurdies. Surprisingly, a number of these devices can be built out of everyday components and materials, and Vogel’s accessible and expansive book includes instructions and models so that inspired readers can even attempt to make their own muscle-powered technologies, like trebuchets and ballista. Appealing to anyone fascinated by the history of mechanics and technology as well as to hobbyists with home workshops, Why the Wheel Is Round offers a captivating exploration of our common technological heritage based on the simple concept of rotation. From our leg muscles powering the gears of a bicycle to our hands manipulating a mouse on a roller ball, it will be impossible to overlook the amazing feats of innovation behind our daily devices.
Why the Wheel Is Round
Author: Steven Vogel
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 022659968X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 340
Book Description
There is no part of our bodies that fully rotates—be it a wrist or ankle or arm in a shoulder socket, we are made to twist only so far. And yet there is no more fundamental human invention than the wheel—a rotational mechanism that accomplishes what our physical form cannot. Throughout history, humans have developed technologies powered by human strength, complementing the physical abilities we have while overcoming our weaknesses. Providing a unique history of the wheel and other rotational devices—like cranks, cranes, carts, and capstans—Why the Wheel Is Round examines the contraptions and tricks we have devised in order to more efficiently move—and move through—the physical world. Steven Vogel combines his engineering expertise with his remarkable curiosity about how things work to explore how wheels and other mechanisms were, until very recently, powered by the push and pull of the muscles and skeletal systems of humans and other animals. Why the Wheel Is Round explores all manner of treadwheels, hand-spikes, gears, and more, as well as how these technologies diversified into such things as hand-held drills and hurdy-gurdies. Surprisingly, a number of these devices can be built out of everyday components and materials, and Vogel’s accessible and expansive book includes instructions and models so that inspired readers can even attempt to make their own muscle-powered technologies, like trebuchets and ballista. Appealing to anyone fascinated by the history of mechanics and technology as well as to hobbyists with home workshops, Why the Wheel Is Round offers a captivating exploration of our common technological heritage based on the simple concept of rotation. From our leg muscles powering the gears of a bicycle to our hands manipulating a mouse on a roller ball, it will be impossible to overlook the amazing feats of innovation behind our daily devices.
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 022659968X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 340
Book Description
There is no part of our bodies that fully rotates—be it a wrist or ankle or arm in a shoulder socket, we are made to twist only so far. And yet there is no more fundamental human invention than the wheel—a rotational mechanism that accomplishes what our physical form cannot. Throughout history, humans have developed technologies powered by human strength, complementing the physical abilities we have while overcoming our weaknesses. Providing a unique history of the wheel and other rotational devices—like cranks, cranes, carts, and capstans—Why the Wheel Is Round examines the contraptions and tricks we have devised in order to more efficiently move—and move through—the physical world. Steven Vogel combines his engineering expertise with his remarkable curiosity about how things work to explore how wheels and other mechanisms were, until very recently, powered by the push and pull of the muscles and skeletal systems of humans and other animals. Why the Wheel Is Round explores all manner of treadwheels, hand-spikes, gears, and more, as well as how these technologies diversified into such things as hand-held drills and hurdy-gurdies. Surprisingly, a number of these devices can be built out of everyday components and materials, and Vogel’s accessible and expansive book includes instructions and models so that inspired readers can even attempt to make their own muscle-powered technologies, like trebuchets and ballista. Appealing to anyone fascinated by the history of mechanics and technology as well as to hobbyists with home workshops, Why the Wheel Is Round offers a captivating exploration of our common technological heritage based on the simple concept of rotation. From our leg muscles powering the gears of a bicycle to our hands manipulating a mouse on a roller ball, it will be impossible to overlook the amazing feats of innovation behind our daily devices.
The Wheel
Author: Richard W. Bulliet
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780231173384
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
A visually rich, analytical history of the key cycles in a revolutionary technology.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780231173384
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
A visually rich, analytical history of the key cycles in a revolutionary technology.
Reinventing the Wheel
Author: Jessica Helfand
Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press
ISBN: 9781568985961
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 164
Book Description
A delightful look at the history of the information wheel
Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press
ISBN: 9781568985961
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 164
Book Description
A delightful look at the history of the information wheel
Wheel Within a Wheel
Author: Frances Willard
Publisher: Ravenio Books
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
Frances Willard (1839 –1898) was an American educator and women's rights activist.
Publisher: Ravenio Books
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
Frances Willard (1839 –1898) was an American educator and women's rights activist.
The Square Wheel
Author:
Publisher: Xulon Press
ISBN: 1613794355
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 142
Book Description
Publisher: Xulon Press
ISBN: 1613794355
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 142
Book Description
Round the world on a wheel
Author: John Foster Fraser
Publisher: Рипол Классик
ISBN: 587913380X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 532
Book Description
Publisher: Рипол Классик
ISBN: 587913380X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 532
Book Description
The Wheels on the Tuk Tuk
Author: Kabir Sehgal
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1665921943
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 17
Book Description
From the mother-son duo behind the New York Times bestselling A Bucket of Blessings comes a zany Classic Board Book about a wild ride on a tuk tuk taxi in India! In this international twist to the beloved nursery rhyme, “The Wheels on the Bus,” anything can happen as the tuk tuk rolls through town—from an elephant encounter to a tasty treat to a grand fireworks display. And in the midst of all the action, one thing’s for sure: passengers young and old love every minute of their exciting ride as the wheels of the tuk tuk go round and round!
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1665921943
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 17
Book Description
From the mother-son duo behind the New York Times bestselling A Bucket of Blessings comes a zany Classic Board Book about a wild ride on a tuk tuk taxi in India! In this international twist to the beloved nursery rhyme, “The Wheels on the Bus,” anything can happen as the tuk tuk rolls through town—from an elephant encounter to a tasty treat to a grand fireworks display. And in the midst of all the action, one thing’s for sure: passengers young and old love every minute of their exciting ride as the wheels of the tuk tuk go round and round!
Cats' Paws and Catapults: Mechanical Worlds of Nature and People
Author: Steven Vogel
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
ISBN: 0393352951
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 384
Book Description
"Full of ideas and well-explained principles that will bring new understanding of everyday things to both scientists and non-scientists alike."—R. McNeill Alexander, Nature Nature and humans build their devices with the same earthly materials and use them in the same air and water, pulled by the same gravity. Why, then, do their designs diverge so sharply? Humans, for instance, love right angles, while nature's angles are rarely right and usually rounded. Our technology goes around on wheels—and on rotating pulleys, gears, shafts, and cams—yet in nature only the tiny propellers of bacteria spin as true wheels. Our hinges turn because hard parts slide around each other, whereas nature's hinges (a rabbit's ear, for example) more often swing by bending flexible materials. In this marvelously surprising, witty book, Steven Vogel compares these two mechanical worlds, introduces the reader to his field of biomechanics, and explains how the nexus of physical law, size, and convenience of construction determine the designs of both people and nature. "This elegant comparison of human and biological technology will forever change the way you look at each."—Michael LaBarbera, American Scientist
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
ISBN: 0393352951
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 384
Book Description
"Full of ideas and well-explained principles that will bring new understanding of everyday things to both scientists and non-scientists alike."—R. McNeill Alexander, Nature Nature and humans build their devices with the same earthly materials and use them in the same air and water, pulled by the same gravity. Why, then, do their designs diverge so sharply? Humans, for instance, love right angles, while nature's angles are rarely right and usually rounded. Our technology goes around on wheels—and on rotating pulleys, gears, shafts, and cams—yet in nature only the tiny propellers of bacteria spin as true wheels. Our hinges turn because hard parts slide around each other, whereas nature's hinges (a rabbit's ear, for example) more often swing by bending flexible materials. In this marvelously surprising, witty book, Steven Vogel compares these two mechanical worlds, introduces the reader to his field of biomechanics, and explains how the nexus of physical law, size, and convenience of construction determine the designs of both people and nature. "This elegant comparison of human and biological technology will forever change the way you look at each."—Michael LaBarbera, American Scientist
The Chord Wheel
Author: Jim Fleser
Publisher: Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation
ISBN: 9780634021428
Category : Chords (Music)
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Front cover has a rotating transparency attached that highlights related chord symbols printed in a wheel shape on the cover itself. The text provides instruction in the uses of this wheel.
Publisher: Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation
ISBN: 9780634021428
Category : Chords (Music)
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Front cover has a rotating transparency attached that highlights related chord symbols printed in a wheel shape on the cover itself. The text provides instruction in the uses of this wheel.
What Do Wheels Do All Day?
Author: April Jones Prince
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN: 9780618563074
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 36
Book Description
The weels push, race, stroll, fly, whiz, and spin all day long.
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN: 9780618563074
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 36
Book Description
The weels push, race, stroll, fly, whiz, and spin all day long.