Mine Pumping in Agricola's Time and Later

"Mine Pumping in Agricola's Time and Later" by Robert P. Multhauf is a historical study that uncovers the progress of mine-pumping technology, beginning with the era of Georgius Agricola and continuing through the following years. The book sheds light on the often-underappreciated engineering improvements in mining equipment, mainly during the Renaissance and later, countering beliefs that mining methods remained unchanged throughout this time. Multhauf examines technical mining innovations, emphasizing different kinds of pumps and their mechanical workings as Agricola described them in his famous book, "De re metallica." He deeply looks at early pumping systems such as the Stangenkunst, a piston pump powered by a crank, and talks about how financial and social shifts affected mining. Moreover, the book looks at old coins to demonstrate how detailed mining scenes shown on 16th-century coins highlight the importance of mining and the machinery used. By using historical records and analysis, Multhauf claims that notable mining technology advancements occurred, opposing any idea that the industry stood still after Agricola's lifetime.