Overview

""". . . with the lighter catapults, which had a long range, he drove back those who were constructing the wall along the harbour, and with the ballistae he shook or destroyed the engines of the enemy.""—Diodorus Siculus, Greek historian, first century BCE “Round their circumference are fixed paddles, which, when acted upon by the force of the current, drive the wheel round, receive the water in the buckets, and carry it to the top.”—Marcus Vitruvius, On Architecture, first century BCE Using only six simple machines, ancient civilizations around the world made complex devices to tell time, change the landscape, and move heavy loads. Many of these ancient machines have stood the test of time and remain in use today. The Ancient Egyptians utilized wedges to break apart heavy stones for pyramids that have lasted thousands of years. The Ancient Chinese invented the wooden ox, now known as the wheelbarrow, by combining a lever and a wheel and axle. The Ancient Inca used inclined planes to move the stone blocks that built Machu Picchu. Around the world, humans have used machines to improve their lives and change the world around them. From the potter’s wheel to the deadly Claws of Archimedes, discover the secrets of ancient machines and how they have improved life throughout history."

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"""A smoothly written, historical overview of machines.""--Booklist -- (3/12/2024 12:00:00 AM)"

"""A smoothly written, historical overview of machines.""—Booklist ""Readers learn about various aspects of key developments, including the factors that spurred innovation, benefits to humans, and specific details on techniques and inventions. . . Well-written resources for middle and high schoolers.""—School Library Journal"

Author Information

Michael Woods is a science and medical writer whose nationally syndicated newspaper stories and columns have won numerous national awards. He directs a program at the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, to inform the public about science. He and his wife, Mary B. Woods, have written almost forty books together. Michael is the writer, and Mary is the researcher. Mary B. Woods is an elementary school librarian in the Fairfax County (VA) Public School system. She has presented at international librarians' conferences. Mary has worked with her husband, Michael Woods, to write almost forty books. She is the researcher, and Michael is the writer.

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