THE

PRINCIPLES

OF STATICS

original: "Weeghconst." Stevin coined this term from "wegen" (to weigh) and "const" (art/science). It was his Dutch equivalent for the Greek term 'Statics.'

WRITTEN BY

SIMON STEVIN

of Bruges.

An ornate oval frame features two winged cherubs at the top and decorative scrolls. Inside the oval is a scientific diagram of the "wreath of spheres" original: "clootcrans", depicting a chain of fourteen spheres draped over a triangle to demonstrate the law of equilibrium on an inclined plane. Above the diagram, a curved banner contains the motto: "What appears a wonder is no wonder" original: "WONDER EN IS GHEEN WONDER". This motto reflects Stevin's belief that anything seemingly miraculous has a rational, scientific explanation. At the base of the frame are the initials "A" and "V."

At LEIDEN,

In the Printing House of Christopher Plantin,

Plantin was one of the most famous printers of the Renaissance; he established this branch in Leiden specifically to serve the university there.

By Franciscus Raphelengius.

Raphelengius was Plantin's son-in-law and a scholar of Oriental languages who managed the Leiden press.

1586.

original: "CIƆ. IƆ. LXXXVI." This uses an older form of Roman numerals where "CIƆ" represents 1000 and "IƆ" represents 500.