The Genius of Archimedes -- 23 Centuries of Influence on Mathematics, Science and Engineering (eBook)

Legacy and influence in Mathematics.- An Archimedean Research Theme: The Calculation of the Volume of Cylindrical Groins.- On Archimedean Roots in Torricelli’s Mechanics.- Rational Mechanics and Science Rationnelle Unique.- Archimedes and Caustics: A Twofold Multimedia and Experimental Approach.- Archimedes’ Quadratures.- On Archimedes’ Pursuit Concerning Geometrical Analysis.- Legacy and influence in Engineering and Mechanisms Design.- Simon Stevin and the Rise of Archimedean Mechanics in the Renaissance.- Archimedes’ Cannons Against the Roman Fleet?.- V-Belt Winding Along Archimedean Spirals During the Variator Speed Ratio Shift.- Ancient Motors for Siege Towers.- From Archimedean Spirals to Screw Mechanisms – A Short Historical Overview.- The Mechanics of Archimedes Towards Modern Mechanism Design.- Archimedean Mechanical Knowledge in 17th Century China.- Archimedes Arabicus. Assessing Archimedes’ Impact on Arabic Mechanics and Engineering.- Legacy and influence in Hydraulics.- The Golden Crown: A Discussion.- The Heritage of Archimedes in Ship Hydrostatics: 2000 Years from Theories to Applications.- Notes on the Syrakosia and on Archimedes’ Approach to the Stability of Floating Bodies.- What Did Archimedes Find at “Eureka” Moment?.- Floatability and Stability of Ships: 23 Centuries after Archimedes.- The “Syrakousia” Ship and the Mechanical Knowledge between Syracuse and Alexandria.- Legacy and influence in Philosophy.- Browsing in a Renaissance Philologist’s Toolbox: Archimedes’ Rule.- The Mystery of Archimedes. Archimedes, Physicist and Mathematician, Anti-Platonic and Anti-Aristotelian Philosopher.- Archimedes to Eratosthenes: “Method for Mechanical Theorems”.- Archimedes in Seventeenth Century Philosophy.- Legacy and influence in Science and Technology.- Cross-Fertilisation of Science and Technology in the Time of Archim?d?s.- Archimedes in Ancient Roman World.- Archimedes: Russian Researches.- Archimedean Science and the Scientific Revolution.- Archimedes’ Burning Mirrors: Myth or Reality?.- The Influence of Archimedes in the Machine Books from the Renaissance to the 19th Century.- Archimedes Influence in Science and Engineering.- Legacy and influence in teaching and history aspects.- The Founder-Cult of Hieron II at Akrai: The Rock-Relief from Intagliatella’s Latomy.- Archimedes: Russian Editions of Works.- Archimedes in Program on History of Mechanics in Lomonosov Moscow St. University.- Archimedes Discovers and Inventions in the Russian Education.- Archimedes in Secondary Schools: A Teaching Proposal for the Math Curriculum.- Mechanical Advantage: The Archimedean Tradition of Acquiring Geometric Insight form Mechanical Metaphor.- The Death of Archimedes: A Reassessment.

"5. LEGACY AND INFLUENCE IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (p. 346-347)

CROSS-FERTILISATION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE TIME OF ARCHIMEDES

Theodossios P. Tassios Nat. Tech. University of Athens, 4, Ag. Lavras, 15236 Pendeli, Greece ABSTRACT The mutually positive interaction between Science and Technology is first reminded, and the early traces of such a crossfertilisation are sought in Ancient Greece. Subsequently, this phenomenon is examined during the Hellenistic period.

Several technical achievements are found to be inspired by scientific knowledge, whereas Technology did offer to Science some practical ideas and, above all, lots of measuring devices. Within this Alexandrian spirit, Archimedes was educated and has produced his mathematical and engineering works. Some of his inventions, probably inspired by his own mathematical findings, are mentioned. A more detailed analysis is presented on the scientific bases of the archimedean planetarium, admired by Cicero.

Further on, the innovative views of Archimedes are presented on the hybrid demonstration of some geometrical theorems, via both mechanical and theoretical means. Besides, the strange view of Plutarch is critically examined, according to which Archimedes considered as “unworthy and vile” any activity related to machines. In conclusion, this assertion is found to be completely unsupported and arbitrary. Finally, the scientific rationality of the design of machines during the Italian Renaissance is mentioned as a confirmation of the validity of the crossfertilisation process.

1. INTRODUCTION

Empirical Technology appears very early – almost simultaneously with humans (animals too possess their own technology). The subject of this lecture is to examine the ways such a Technology may later on be fertilised by Science, and how Science itself may profit of available Technology; and, more specifically, how such a crossfertilisation has taken place during the 3rd cent. BCE, the period when Archimedes lived and published his scientific work. For this kind of historical investigation, one needs first to understand if such a crossfertilisation is feasible in principle. Subsequently, we need to follow the steps of such a process in Ancient Greece, before the examination of the related phenomena in the time of Archimedes."