Mechano

Instruments, gadgets, devices, apparatus, also know as tools are designed to serve a ‘Purpose’ and they are absolutely everywhere. The Purpose, on the other hand, need not always be physical or theoretical. Instruments comprises of physical and emotional elements which convert the external links, mostly into a defined output. Every machine has its group of components. All the components work like a team to produce suitable results based on the inputs and situation. Sometimes they help us by reducing physical and mental work, on other times it’s the emotional happiness they provide. Any defect in one single component and the instrument could fail to produce desire results.

Mechanisms dominated the world till the discovery of Electronics. After the introduction of electronics in practical usage, most of the intelligence was taken over by chips and circuits. Prior to that, intelligence of a machine was shaped and delivered through mechanisms. Often to achieve higher degree of delivery, mechanisms used were complex to say the least. There were machines which could measure up to football ground. From the discovery of Circle to Tires, the pace and shape of evolution has changed in every passing era taking the level higher and higher.

Although the inventions and discoveries held a high regard and appreciation, it’s the application of these inventions which help bringing the theory closer to people’s daily life. Without application, there will be a big gap between people and theories/experiments. Big equations like EMC by Einstein are signature equations. Everyone knows Albert Einstein and some also know what he is famous for. Apart from these fame personalities, there are many other scientists and engineers who had played an important role to make techniques serve people. Instruments and machines are the product of such unknown Geniuses who never came to limelight.

During the Islamic Golden age, an Arabic inventor and craftsman quietly did the incredible. His name was Al-Jazari. At the time when Engineering was completely dominated by Europe, Al-Jazari didn’t just master the subject, but also left a legacy of 50 mechanical devices in his book title: “Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices”. He himself conceptualized, design and crafted his ideas. The mechanisms being the soul of his devices, each device introduce a different technique.
Every device is very well detailed and one cannot believe that the work was done during 1136-1206. Adding to the credibility of this genius, the devices are direct solutions to the daily life problem. Being in desert, water is the most critical problem and Al-Jazari has provided 5 different Machine design solutions to lift water. Apart from real-time practical solutions, he made a programmable Castle Clock which is also credited as the first Programmable Computer. The Castle clock is highly flexible in its settings and display many parameters of Time. Each solution has a different mechanism and Al-Jazari has introduced mechanisms through his machines. Although, even today his designs are challenge for engineers, dismay to his contribution, he didn’t have the fame like other.

Much later (1799-1881) in the other part of the world, brilliance shines and left a mark again. During late Ego and Meiji period in Japan, an Inventor Engineer started something which was later going to become one of the largest companies in Electronics and Technology. Co founder of Toshiba Corporation, Tanaka Hisashige also called as “Thomas Edison of Japan” is another subtle inventor which didn’t have the due recognition. A gifted designer, he made mind boggling designs which ranges from Clocks, Dolls to even Steam Engine. Although, he made the Japans first Steam Engine, his first contribution came early through carnivals in Japan. At the age of 21 he made stupendous Dolls for the carnival exhibitions. One of the complex creations by him is a Bow Shooting Boy, also known as Yumihiki-Doji karakuri Ningyo. The Doll is driven by a clock mechanism and it auto loads and shoots arrows at a target. If the target is hit, the Doll will pass a smile on its face.

Simple and elegant (deadly combination) piece of work, the other Dolls made by him performs activities like serving Tea, drawing picture etc. Even today after 100+ years, making such dolls is a highly skilled work and designing and crafting such sophisticated instruments in 18 century looks like a humongous task. His biggest contribution is Myriad Clock. After working for almost 3 years, Tanaka finished this master piece. It shows 7 different times and needs to be wounded only once a year. It is recognized as the heritage artifact of Japan. In fact in year 2004, a group of 100 engineers, using modern technologies, took 6 months to replicate Myriad year Clock (meaning: Ten thousand year) made by Hisashige Tanaka in 1851.


It takes undivided dedication and honesty towards the dream to make it come true. There had been many more scientists and scholars who are hidden in there labs. But one day they will become inspiration for others. Sir Al-Jazari and Sir Tanaka Hisashige are two great innovators and dreamers who walked that extra mile to shape their dream and gifted it to reality.