Preface.

...concerning the balance, many special observations and demonstrations have been made, which one will seek elsewhere in vain.

Thirdly, among such writings, Andreas Jungnickel’s Key to Mechanics original: "Schlüssel zur Mechanic" is well known, which was published in Nuremberg in 1661 in quarto size, "three alphabets" thick A printer's term indicating the length of the book based on sets of signature marks from A to Z., with printed figures. In it, he explains, in the form of a dialogue, not only the five ordinary lifting engines Heb-Zeuge: the five "simple machines" of antiquity—the lever, pulley, wheel and axle, wedge, and screw through a very easy method, so that even someone who possesses neither geometry nor other similar sciences can understand it fairly well; it contains various useful observations that he has observed in practice original: "in Praxi" and testing. This book can be read with great benefit by anyone who wishes to prepare himself for practice original: "ad Praxin" without many mathematical demonstrations, and it would be desirable for it to be reprinted.

Fourthly, Mr. J. C. Sturm, Professor at Altdorf, in his Youthful Mathematics original: "Mathesi juvenili", which was published first in Latin and then in German in 1617 The date 1617 is likely a printing error in the original text; Johann Christoph Sturm's German edition appeared closer to 1700. in octavo, has dealt with mechanics in German quite well alongside other mathematical sciences; his son, L. C. Sturm, did the same in his instructions on mathematics.

The newest writing on this subject was issued by Mr. Court Councilor Christian Wolff, Professor of Physics and Mathematics until now at Halle, currently Court Councilor to the Prince of Hesse-Kassel, and Primary Professor of Mathematics and Philosophy in Marburg, in his Foundations of All Mathematical Sciences original: "Anfangs-Gründen aller mathematischen Wissenschafften", which was printed in Halle in octavo first in the year 1710 and for the second time in 1717. Regarding mechanics, or the art of motion original: "Bewegungs-Kunst", he has described and explained not only the first principles, but also the basis and preparation of many machines, along with many other special and useful observations, in a manner that is brief yet very clear and easy. It is very much to be regretted that such a book is known only to scholars. The reason: because it does not come to the attention of others who do not make a profession of mathematics under this general title, and also because it is not available on its own, those who only seek mechanics do not wish to purchase the entire work. Thus, the German who knows no other language is poorly provided for in this matter, which results in many a skillful talent Ingenium: a person's natural capacity for invention, engineering, and creative problem-solving being prevented from serving himself and the fatherland—talent which otherwise, through the reading of such materials and by means of its innate nature and convenient opportunity, could do much greater things