[MR] Books of interest to Atlantians

[Garth G. Groff]

Friends,

Here is a great new book that just came across my desk that has really 
neat information for Scadians.

ANCIENT ENGINEERS' INVENTIONS, PRECURSORS OF THE PRESENT by Cesare 
Rossi, Flavio Russo and Ferruccio Russo (ISBN 9789048122523; our call 
number: Sci-Eng TA16 .R67 2009). This is a fascinating book on early 
technology, some ancient, some from the middle ages. This particular 
book offers information on scales, distance finders like the surveyors' 
cross, water clocks and sundials, the Antikythera mechanism, wind and 
water mills and similar machines, pumps, pipes and valves, diving bells, 
overhead cableways, the air spring ballista (!), spinning wheels and 
predecessors, the repeating catapult (more !), multi-stage artillery 
rockets from 14th century Italy, and so on. Most of the inventions are 
dated for our convenience, and shown in very nice period line drawings, 
or in photos when the technology is still in use. Techno buffs will love 
this book! A great source for A&S projects too.

Do you suppose we could combine the air spring ballista with the 
repeating catapult to strike fear into our enemies at Pennsic next year?

Kind regards,


Mungo Napier, Shire of Isenfir Unofficial Librarian
(mka Garth Groff, Cataloging Dept., UVA Libraries)