First edition of the most important record of the history of machinery and inventions in France for the latter 17th and first half of the 18th century. In 1729, the Academy commissioned the engineer Gallon to edit all descriptions of machines examined and approved by the Academy.

Gallon's work documents the technological explosion that occurred in France during this period, in the areas of the arts, sciences, engineering, and manufacturing. New scientific instruments, clocks, textile machinery, paper-making machines, hydraulic engineering devices, steam shovels, street lights, umbrellas, and calculating machines are among the many inventions covered.

The work includes the first published illustrations of Pascal's calculating machine (with five plates) together with descriptions an...[ Read more ]

First edition of the most important record of the history of machinery and inventions in France for the latter 17th and first half of the 18th century. In 1729, the Academy commissioned the engineer Gallon to edit all descriptions of machines examined and approved by the Academy.

Gallon's work documents the technological explosion that occurred in France during this period, in the areas of the arts, sciences, engineering, and manufacturing. New scientific instruments, clocks, textile machinery, paper-making machines, hydraulic engineering devices, steam shovels, street lights, umbrellas, and calculating machines are among the many inventions covered.

The work includes the first published illustrations of Pascal's calculating machine (with five plates) together with descriptions and illustrations of calculating machines by Perrault, Lespine, De Hillerin, and De Mean.