Originally published in 1904, this book was written to provide an accessible introduction to the principles of mechanics.Originally published in 1904, as part of the Cambridge Physical Series, this book was written to provide an accessible introduction to the principles of mechanics. The text analyses the principles as they developed in chronological order and places them in their historical context, with discussion of pioneering figures.Originally published in 1904, as part of the Cambridge Physical Series, this book was written to provide an accessible introduction to the principles of mechanics. The text analyses the principles as they developed in chronological order and places them in their historical context, with discussion of pioneering figures.Originally published in 1904, as part of the Cambridge Physical Series, this book was written to provide an accessible introduction to the principles of mechanics. The text analyses the principles as they developed in chronological order and places them in their historical context, with discussion of pioneering figures. Examples are included, but only where necessary and not in such abundance that they would confuse the reader. Illustrative figures are also incorporated throughout. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in mechanics, physics and the history of science.Part 1. The Winning of the Principles: 1. Introduction; 2. The beginnings of statics. Archimedes. Problem of the lever and of the centre of gravity; 2. Experimental verification and applications of the principle of the lever; 3. The centre of gravity; 4. The balance; 5. Stevinus of Bruges. The principle of the inclined plane; 6. The parallelogram of forces; 7. The principle of virtual work; 8. Review of the principles of statics; 9. The beginnings of dynamics. Galileo. The problem of falling bodies; 10. Huyghens. The problem of uniform motion in a circle. 'Centrifugal force'; 11. Final statement of the principles of dynamics. Extension to l“Y