Are You Able to Crack It? The Forgotten Dutch Invention That Forged the Modern World
There are many candidates to claim the designation as “world’s greatest invention.” The wheel. The printing press. The combustion motor.
As per a recent publication, though, that title should go to the automated timber mill invented through Dutch inventor Corneliszoon van Uitgeest in 1593.
“Prior to mechanised cutting, building a modest trading ship necessitated around 10 lumberjacks working over three months,” writes Jaime Dávila. “With wind-powered sawmills, an identical amount of cut lumber might be manufactured within seven days.”
Thanks to their rapid mechanical cutter, that turned logs to boards with virtually no manual labor, the Dutch could construct vessels more quickly compared to any other nation, an advantage that sparked a century of Netherlands maritime, economic as well as artistic dominance in Europe and the world.
The First True Industrial Device
The inventor's sawmill, contends the writer, represented “humanity’s initial authentic factory apparatus.” A windmill turned a gear. One component transformed the rotary movement to up-and-down motion for the saw. Another component transformed the spinning motion into a lateral movement advancing the timber to the blade. A ratchet system moved the wood ahead a measured step per cycle.
“Each element seemed simple on its own. Corneliszoon’s brilliance lay in how to integrate these parts so they operated within a precisely synchronized sequence, cutting on every downward motion while moving with each return motion. This constituted a remarkably intelligent use of basic components.”
Which brings us to today’s puzzle. I’d like for you to reimagine a key the fundamental ideas behind Corneliszoon’s invention.
Circular to Vertical
Design a machine that turns rotary motion to up-and-down motion. Your available these components only: A spinning wheel. Two pegs. Two rods. A “sleeve”, which is a cylinder or housing into which one of the bars can slide perfectly. (Assume it is possible to put things on a stand, so the parts don’t collapse.)
I’ll be back at 5pm UK time with the answer.
Meanwhile, PLEASE NO HINTS. Instead, please suggest (less celebrated) contenders for the planet’s greatest creation.
