On the Origin of Clockwork, Perpetual Motion Devices, and the Compass

"On the Origin of Clockwork, Perpetual Motion Devices, and the Compass" by Derek J. de Solla Price is a mid-20th century exploration into the two-thousand-year history of mechanical marvels. Price's work seeks to correct historical inaccuracies and establish a clearer understanding of how devices like clocks and compasses evolved and influenced society. The author kicks things off by acknowledging the challenges of tracing the development of these technologies, pointing out how widespread misunderstandings have muddied the waters of history. Challenging simple explanations, Price suggests that mechanical clocks didn't just spring from sundials, but from complex astronomical models from early cultures. This sets the tone of the work for a sweeping review of mechanical progression - from simple gears in old civilizations to magnetism and machines.