The Al-Jazari Lectures Forum heralds its name after the Engineering
genius of a 13th century man born
in the area between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. He established himself and worked in South East Turkey as Chief Engineer
to the king of the region. He wrote a treatise called "Book of
Ingenious Mechanical Devices", and was quickly recognised as a
prolific and inventive engineer. Ismail Al Jazari's work on fine technology and
the descriptions of his inventions became an example for engineering texts henceforth.
Leonardo Da Vinci have become a household name and is in
every textbook, but the name Al Jazari,
and the unique inventions and machines he
designed, existed ages before the birth of Da Vinci. Al Jazari died in 1206 , and by that time invented robotics, crank and
gear shafts, piston driven pumps for water wheels, gear shafts, a flush toilet
and many other things attributed to Da Vinci. [https://notestoponder.wordpress.com/2012/08/28/before-da-vinci-there-was-al-jazari/] He is also cited to have been looking at an
array of different clock designs, including his famous Castle Clock. Some of
his machines even played music. All this while Europe was still experiencing the Dark
Ages. Some of his water wheels are still operational, 800 years later. "The Book of Ingenious Mechanical Devices"
was the main source from which Da Vinci developed and extended upon in his
devices in Italy. Sadly, Al Jazary is forgotten, not even spoken about, purely
because he did not fit the picture of a powerful new Europe, hungry to explore
the world, who did not see the worth or crediting or having dialogue with other
civilizations. [http://www.history-science-technology.com/articles/articles%206.htm]
Al-Jazari is
honoured by us today, in this decolonised forum, where we will present and
invite lectures to inspire young aspiring Engineers and awaken the quest for
innovation.
Watch this
space for updates:
