Are You Able to Crack It? That Forgotten Netherlands Creation That Shaped the Contemporary Globe
There are numerous candidates to claim the title of “world’s most significant innovation.” The circular axle. The movable type. The steam engine.
According to a recent publication, however, that title should go to the mechanised sawmill invented by Dutch inventor Cornelis Corneliszoon in 1593.
“Prior to automated cutting, building a modest trading ship required approximately ten lumberjacks working for three months,” writes the author. “Using wind-driven sawmills, the same amount of processed timber might be manufactured in less than seven days.”
Thanks to this rapid automated cutter, that converted timber to boards with virtually no human effort, the Dutch could build ships more quickly than anyone else, an advantage that sparked a century of Netherlands naval, financial and artistic supremacy in the continent and the world.
The Original True Industrial Device
The inventor's lumber mill, contends Dávila, represented “mankind’s first authentic industrial machine.” A windmill turned a gear. A single part transformed the circular motion into vertical motion for the cutting blade. Another component changed the spinning movement into a lateral movement advancing the timber to the cutter. A ratchet system shifted the log ahead one precise increment per cycle.
“Each element was modest by itself. The Dutchman’s brilliance was to integrate them so the machine acted in a precisely synchronized sequence, sawing on every descending motion and moving on every return motion. It was a remarkably intelligent application of basic components.”
A fact that brings us to the current puzzle. I’d like for you to reimagine one of the basic concepts underpinning this historic invention.
Circular to Vertical
Design a mechanism that turns rotary movement to vertical motion. You have these items only: A rotating disc. Two pegs. Two bars. A “sleeve”, that is a tube or housing into which one of the rods can slide snugly. (Assume it is possible to put things on a stand, so the parts do not fall down.)
I’ll be back later today UK with the solution.
Meanwhile, NO SPOILERS. Instead, please suggest (less celebrated) candidates as the planet’s greatest creation.
