This book offers insights relevant to modern history and epistemology of physics,
mathematics and, indeed, to all the sciences and engineering disciplines emerging
of 19th century. This research volume is the first of a set of three Springer books on
Lazare Nicolas Margu?rite Carnots (17531823) remarkable work: Essay on Machines in
General (Essai sur les machines en g?n?ral [1783] 1786). The other two forthcoming
volumes are: Principes fondamentaux de l?quilibre et du mouvement (1803) and
G?om?trie de position (1803).
Lazare Carnot l'organisateur de la victoire in Essai sur le machine en g?n?ral (1786)
assumed that the generalization of machines was a necessity for society and its economic
development. Subsequently, his new coming science applied to machines attracted
considerable interest for technician, as well, already in the 1780s. With no lack in
rigour, Carnot used geometric and trigonometric rather than algebraic arguments, and
usually went on to explain in words what the formulae contained. His main physical
mathematical concepts were the Geometric motion and Moment of activityconcept of
Work . In particular, he found the invariants of the transmission of motion (by stating
the principle of the moment of the quantity of motion) and theorized the condition of
the maximum efficiency of mechanical machines (i.e., principle of continuity in the
transmission of power).
While the core theme remains the theories and historical studies of the text, the book
contal:
![Essay on Machines in General (1786): Text, Translations and Commentaries. Lazare Carnot's Mechanics - Volume 1 [Hardcover]](/itemImage/2/7/3/3/2_5285333.jpg "Essay on Machines in General (1786): Text, Translations and Commentaries. Lazare Carnot's Mechanics - Volume 1 [Hardcover]")