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Leverage Collection

"Leverage: Unleashing the Power of Ancient Ingenuity and Modern Innovation" From prehistoric times to modern-day marvels

Background imageLeverage Collection: Prehistoric spear-thrower

Prehistoric spear-thrower. Artwork of how a spear-thrower (or atlatl) is used to throw a feathered dart. At top and centre, the dart is loaded. At bottom, it is being thrown

Background imageLeverage Collection: Biomechanics, historical artwork

Biomechanics, historical artwork
Biomechanics. Historical artwork of two humans bearing loads. This illustration is taken from De Motu Animalium (On Animal Motion, 1680) by Alfonso Borelli (1608-1679)

Background imageLeverage Collection: Man operating a pulley with lever and fulcrum

Man operating a pulley with lever and fulcrum
6266189 Man operating a pulley with lever and fulcrum; (add.info.: Man operating a pulley with a lever and fulcrum. After an 18th century work.); Photo © Ken Welsh. All rights reserved 2024

Background imageLeverage Collection: How the breaking point of a beam depends upon the material

How the breaking point of a beam depends upon the material
5310107 How the breaking point of a beam depends upon the material; (add.info.: Diagram illustrating how the breaking point of a beam depends upon the material, thickness (A, B)

Background imageLeverage Collection: The principles of leverage

The principles of leverage
5310033 The principles of leverage; (add.info.: Woodblock engraving depicting the principles of leverage. Dated 16th century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageLeverage Collection: The Drawbridge, 1875. Creator: Jacob Henricus Maris

The Drawbridge, 1875. Creator: Jacob Henricus Maris
The Drawbridge, 1875

Background imageLeverage Collection: Widtsoe land use adjustment project, Garfield County, Utah, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange

Widtsoe land use adjustment project, Garfield County, Utah, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Widtsoe land use adjustment project. Garfield County, Utah. Excavating new spillway of Tropic Dam

Background imageLeverage Collection: Man Putting into Motion a Wheel-Driven Well, illustration from De Machinis

Man Putting into Motion a Wheel-Driven Well, illustration from De Machinis
XIR155553 Man Putting into Motion a Wheel-Driven Well, illustration from De Machinis (pen and ink and w/c on paper) by Mariano di Jacopo (detto il Taccola) (1382-c.1453) (after)

Background imageLeverage Collection: The Hollow Tree, 1876 (oil on canvas)

The Hollow Tree, 1876 (oil on canvas)
6198821 The Hollow Tree, 1876 (oil on canvas) by Linnell, John (1792-1882); 105.4x146 cm; The McManus, Dundee, UK; (add.info.: John Linnell (1792-1882)); Dundee Art Galleries and Museums; English

Background imageLeverage Collection: Woodcutters, 3rd plate (Les bucherons). Creator: Alphonse Legros

Woodcutters, 3rd plate (Les bucherons). Creator: Alphonse Legros
Woodcutters, 3rd plate (Les bucherons)

Background imageLeverage Collection: Man operating a pulley with a lever and fulcrum. After an 18th century work

Man operating a pulley with a lever and fulcrum. After an 18th century work

Background imageLeverage Collection: Olive crushing pressing Method weighting press

Olive crushing pressing Method weighting press
Olive crushing and pressing. Method of weighting the press. Great pressure realised by means of leverage. 1920, Middle East, Israel and/or Palestine

Background imageLeverage Collection: Legend of Archimedes and the lever

Legend of Archimedes and the lever, historical artwork. Archimedes of Syracuse (c. 287-212 BC), Greek mathematician, physicist and engineer

Background imageLeverage Collection: The Battle of Alexander at Issus (German: Alexanderschlacht) is a 1529 oil painting

The Battle of Alexander at Issus (German: Alexanderschlacht) is a 1529 oil painting by the German artist Albrecht Altdorfer (c. 1480-1538)

Background imageLeverage Collection: Quarrymen, c1900 (1902). Artist: Robert Hermann Sterl

Quarrymen, c1900 (1902). Artist: Robert Hermann Sterl
Quarrymen, c1900 (1902). From The Studio Volume 25 [The Offices of the Studio Ltd. London, 1902.]

Background imageLeverage Collection: Mechanical advantage: The power of the lever, 1877

Mechanical advantage: The power of the lever, 1877. Lever of the second kind where effort is between the fulcrum and load. Resistance, A, is between power, B, and fulcrum, C

Background imageLeverage Collection: General Strrike 1926: The Lever Brakes

General Strrike 1926: The Lever Brakes
The Lever Breakes the Trades Union Congress tries, unsuccessfully, to use the General Strike to topple the Government. May 1926

Background imageLeverage Collection: LFB firefighter at back of enclosed pump vehicle

LFB firefighter at back of enclosed pump vehicle
LFB firefighter at the back of an enclosed pump vehicle, putting stored hose into place

Background imageLeverage Collection: Farm near a channel, Esaias van de Velde, 1615

Farm near a channel, Esaias van de Velde, 1615


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"Leverage: Unleashing the Power of Ancient Ingenuity and Modern Innovation" From prehistoric times to modern-day marvels, humanity has always sought ways to maximize their strength and efficiency. The concept of leverage, showcased through various historical artworks and illustrations, reveals our relentless pursuit of biomechanical advantage. In the depths of time, a prehistoric spear-thrower exemplifies early ingenuity. This primitive tool harnessed the power of leverage, allowing our ancestors to propel projectiles with greater force and accuracy. Centuries later, an illustration from De Machinis showcases a man putting into motion a wheel-driven well. Through clever engineering and understanding of mechanical advantage, this innovation revolutionized water extraction methods. Artistic masterpieces like "The Hollow Tree" by an unknown artist in 1876 depict woodcutters utilizing levers to effortlessly fell towering trees. Their expertise in leveraging these simple machines enabled them to conquer nature's mightiest giants. Similarly, Robert Hermann Sterl's painting "Quarrymen" captures workers using levers to move massive stones with ease. These quarrymen understood that by employing proper leverage techniques, they could overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. "The Power of the Lever, " depicted in an 1877 artwork, highlights how this fundamental principle underpins countless inventions throughout history. From ancient tools to complex machinery today, leverage remains at the core of human progress. During moments that shaped societies like the General Strike in 1926 or firefighting efforts captured in LFB firefighter images operating enclosed pump vehicles – levers played pivotal roles as brakes or mechanisms for saving lives amidst chaos. Even centuries-old works continue inspiring us; an 18th-century depiction shows a man operating a pulley system with precision using lever principles. Such timeless wisdom reminds us that harnessing leverage is not limited by time but rather transcends generations. As we reflect on these captivating glimpses into history's embrace of leverage, we recognize its enduring significance.