The King George III Collection
This is a model of a machine to show the maximum of a man's power to raise water, friction
having been reduced as far as possible. In the '.. Course of Experimental Philosophy' of 1744,
Desaguliers stated that he made a model of the device which suggests that this may have belonged
to him before being acquired by Demainbray. The fact that it is referred to as a new model in
the earliest syllabus only indicates that Demainbray had not had it long.
|
The machine worked as
follows: a man stands on the trap door making it heavier than the bucket of water which
therefore rises. When the man reaches the bottom he runs up the ladder as fast as he can, during
which time the empty bucket descends since it is now heavier than the platform. The bucket then
refills itself and the process is repeated 'all day'. Desaguliers recommended tavern-drawers
since they were used to running up and down stairs.
Model to show the maximum of a man's power to raise water, before 1753
|