12 Matching Annotations
  1. Oct 2024
    1. most clocks were used for astronomical and astrological purposes rather than for telling the time of day.

      I did not know that. No wonder clocks have been so relevant through the centuries.

    2. was destroyed by fire in 389 AD

      A lot of potentially great discoveries could have been made from those books burned. Truly unfortunate.

    3. "was primarily the speech of the middle classes in Rome and the Roman provinces

      I find it interesting how there were multiple languages used amongst Rome. Making the use of languages very diverse. From lower classes to upper classes.

    1. Gunpowder weapons of two types: artillery, and hand-held guns.

      Although technology used for gunpowder was slow, it was very effective.

    2. The earliest printed book, AD 868.

      Wouldn't that be considered a scroll, rather than a book?

    3. Mechanics was the pioneer among the modern sciences

      Mechanics to this day are crucial to our society.

    1. One of the most important 15th century applications for the waterwheel was to pump out mine shafts.

      I am curious as to how water was used in order to abstract golds.

    2. He also notes that the clock served as a model for many other types of mechanical products.

      I can understand as to why clocks are heavily referenced, mainly because of their longevity of relevance.

    3. About 725 AD, a Chinese engineer, Liang Ling-Tsan invented the mechanical escapement, which is a key device in all mechanical clocks.

      I find it super interesting that an invention from way back then, is still essential in todays society.

    4. The cloth merchant acted as the "factory" foreman and, more to the point, he was able to economically dominate the cloth industry.

      This whole process for cloth seems complicated as I think it would make more sense to me if it were all together.

    5. These Muslim astronomers developed improved astronomical instruments

      I am curious as to how they could think to invent something like this during that time. Especially with the scarce resources they had to work with at the time to come up with such an invention.

    6. only plant 300 acres

      I find this interesting and smart, doing this gives time for fertilization to heal and restore for the best possible quality in growing crops.