Can You Crack It? The Overlooked Netherlands Invention Which Forged our Modern Globe
There are many contenders to claim the title of “planet’s greatest invention.” The circular axle. The printing press. The steam engine.
According to a new book, though, that title should go to a mechanised timber mill conceived through Dutchman Corneliszoon van Uitgeest during 1593.
“Before mechanised cutting, constructing a modest trading ship necessitated approximately 10 lumberjacks laboring for three months,” writes Jaime Dávila. “Using wind-powered sawmills, the same amount of processed timber could be produced in less than seven days.”
Owing to this rapid automated cutter, that converted logs to boards with virtually no manual labor, Dutch builders were able to build vessels more quickly compared to any other nation, an advantage that unleashed one hundred years of Dutch naval, economic and cultural dominance across the continent and the world.
The Original True Manufacturing Device
Corneliszoon’s lumber mill, contends Dávila, was “humanity’s initial true factory machine.” A wind turbine turned a wheel. A single part transformed the circular movement to up-and-down motion to power the cutting blade. Another component changed that same spinning motion into a lateral motion advancing the log to the blade. A geared mechanism moved the log forward a measured step per cycle.
“Each element seemed simple by itself. The Dutchman’s genius was to integrate them in order that they operated within a perfectly controlled order, sawing with each descending motion and advancing on every return motion. It was a remarkably intelligent use of fundamental components.”
Which brings us to today’s challenge. The task is for you to reimagine a key the fundamental concepts behind Corneliszoon’s machine.
Circular to Vertical
Construct a machine that turns rotary motion to up-and-down action. Your available these components only: A spinning wheel. Two pegs. Two bars. A “guide”, which is a cylinder or sleeve through which a single the bars will fit snugly. (Consider that you can mount components on a stand, so that the components don’t collapse.)
I’ll be back at 5pm UK time featuring the answer.
Meanwhile, NO SPOILERS. Rather, feel free to propose (non obvious) candidates as the planet’s greatest creation.
