B chapter.indd - Charles Babbage Institute - University of Minnesota

Erwin Tomash Library
Bradbury, Fred Brahe, Tycho
Binding: original paper wrappers
Pagination: pp. 342–348
Size: 225x142 mm
In this paper, Boys proposes and describes a new type
of integrating mechanism in contrast with existing
integrating machines such as Amsler’s planimeter,
where rolling mechanisms were employed to form the
integral of the area being traced by a pointer. At the time
this paper was written, Boys had built only a feasibility
model. A few years later, Bruno Abdank-Abakanowicz
described in great detail a complete design using the
same principle. The Abakanowicz book acknowledges
the fact that Boys had presented this same approach at
the meetings of the British Association in 1882.
Illustrations available:
Plate showing instrument.
B 222
Bradbury, Fred
Jacquard mechanism and harness mounting
Year: 1912
Place: (Halifax)
Publisher: Author
Edition: 1st
Language: English
Figures: 1 photolith plate
Binding: original cloth boards
Pagination: pp. 355, xii, [1]
Collation: A–Y 8 (+W 8 )
Size: 210x135 mm
Bradbury was known for his books on various industrial
subjects. He had already produced similar works
on Carpet manufacture and Calculations in Yarns
and Fabrics, and this book has advertisements and
testimonials for both.
After an introduction to the history of pattern weaving,
this work deals with the Jacquard loom in all its forms,
including a discussion of the creation of Jacquard cards.
The book is well illustrated with technical drawings of
the various devices.
Illustrations available:
Title page
B 223
Brahe, Tycho (1546–1601)
Astronomiæ instauratæ mechanica
Year: 1602
Place: Nürnberg
Publisher: Levinus Hulsius
Edition: 2nd
Language: Latin
B 222
Figures: engraved portrait of Brahe on title, 25 illustrations (7
engraved, 18 woodcut), 4 smaller illustrations in text
Binding: contemporary vellum
Pagination: ff. [54]
Collation: )::( 4 A–E 6 F 4 G–H 6 I 4
Size: 314x207 mm
Reference: Gin HLB, Vol. XIX, #2, p. 129; Cro CL, #104
Tycho Brahe, one the greatest and most celebrated
astronomers in history, was born in Knudstrup, Denmark
(present-day Sweden), into a noble family. His Danish
given name was Tyge, and he adopted the Latinized
version (Tycho) when he was fifteen years old. From the
age of two, Tycho lived with and was reared by his paternal
uncle, Jörgen Brahe. Jörgen saw to it that he was tutored
in Latin and Greek and otherwise prepared for university
studies. As befitted a person of his rank and position, he
studied law at the University of Copenhagen and later
at the University of Leipzig. His interest in astronomy
was aroused by attending lectures on the subject, but his
uncle strongly discouraged further studies, and he was
reduced to learning the subject in secret.
The conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter in August 1563
seems to have been a seminal event for Tycho. He followed
it meticulously and recorded his observation of the time
of closest approach. When he computed this same time
using both the Alphonsine tables and the Prutenic tables,
the discrepancy between the observed and calculated
results was striking. In fact, the Alphonsine tables were
off by nearly a month and the Prutenic tables by a few
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