Introduction
During the Jahiliyah period, there were no developed technological things, however, there were considerable things that science has risen, but not developed as much as nowadays. As The Tibb system, astronomy and astrology etc were trends at that time. Gradually, it started to widen all over the world by Muslim scholars. Few figures that have emerged in Islamic scientific history are more colourful. One of the most prominent figures of the Islamic golden age AL-Jazari, a pioneering mechanical engineer, emerged brightly in the field of technology and mechanical engineering. He is known as “the father of robotics and the true father of mechanical engineering”.
Between the 12th to 13th centuries, he not only transformed the mechanic's world but also left an influential impact on technology. Through his well-known work on technology “Book of knowledge of ingenious devices”. He introduced a collection of innovative inventions in his time of Turkmen Artuqid dynasty period in the Islamic golden age. From his automata, robotics mechanisms to gear system machines are designed as well. It includes an elephant clock, castle clock, water-rising machines, automata, automated scribes, suction pump, crankshaft and surgical instruments. Nowadays all these things are developed and being used.
Early life and background
In the Islamic perspective, religious education is important, material education is also necessary to our life. Thus, between the 8th and 14th centuries was the time of the Islamic golden age. Numerous Muslim scholars emerged in different fields of knowledge during this period. Some scholars in philosophy, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, astrology, geography, cartography, art, literature, poetry, engineering, technology, law, architecture and science etc.
Al-Jazari is one of them, he is also known as Badi Al-Zaman Abu Al-iz ibn Ismail Al-Razzaz Al-Jazari, he was a polymath and an engineer, during the Islamic golden age. He was born in 1136 in a mechanical engineering expertise family in Cizre located in modern-day Turkey during the Artuqid dynasty period. He served as chief engineer in Artuklu palace, the branch of the Artuqid dynasty, which was ruled by the Zangid rulers of Mosul. But, later it was ruled by the Ayyubid dynasty. He got extensive training in both aspects of engineering theoretical and practical. Al-Jazari became famous for his well-known book “Kitab Fi Ma'rifat Al-hiyal Al-handasiyya” (Book of Knowledge of ingenious mechanical devices); it was completed in 1206. He was more interested in craftsmanship and making devices through technology.
Additionally, in 1174 Al-Jazari went to Banu Artuq, the rulers of amid it in known on diyarbakir located in southern Turkey. There were numerous engineers who were working to invent new creativities, but AL-Jazari was appointed as a talented engineer and also a well-skilled communicator through writing and drawing too, though, when amid Prince Nasir Al-Din Mahmud, ordered him to write a book, before completing this book he was dead in 1206 in Turkey.
His most influential work “The Book of Knowledge of ingenious mechanical devices” was introduced in 1206. He discussed around 100 mechanical devices and some 80 tricks with the instructions to play the device and to invent and discover a new device.
Al-Jazari's book explained in detail about 50 of the devices. These 50 devices, he grouped into 6 categories:
- 10 water and candle clocks.
- 10 vessels and figures suited for drinking sessions.
- 10 pitchers and basins for phlebotomy and washing before prayers.
- 10 fountains and other machines for the perpetual flute.
- 5 water rising machines.
- 5-minute cell anion devices.
Contributions to mechanical engineering
Most of the historians found the importance of ancient technology to modernize the world. According to the scientific manuscripts, it can help scholars to discover the ideas spread on usage of technology, however, modern technology developed by that happened in the past. As Al-Jazari’sis inventions, it determined that Islamic technology was notably advanced. The most innovative aspect of al-jazari’smachines.
Camshaft:
It is an invention of Al-Jazazri there is an attachment between a shaft and the cams. Firstly, he introduced in 1206, he employed this machine in his automata clocks such as candle clocks and water-raising machines. Later in the 14th century, it appeared in European mechanisms.
Crankshaft and Crank-slider mechanism:
The Crank appeared in the mid-9th century in different types of hydraulic devices, that was the main player Banu Musa brothers, they mentioned it in their Book of Ingenious Devices. But later in 1206, Al-Jazari invented a crankshaft. Nowadays in the modern world, these types of machinery have become the steam engines, internal combustion engines and automatic controls. He invented a water pump that was known as the crank-slider mechanism.
The escapement mechanism in a rotating wheel:
It is a device that Al-Jazari invented to use in a wheel-rotating machine for controlling the wheel rotation speed using an escapement mechanism.
Water-raising Machines: The idea of wing water
The idea of using water for irrigation and other purposes was developed in the ancient world. People were raising water for their work through many kinds of machines, such as Saqiya chain pumps and water wheels etc. Consequently, Al-Jazari invented five machines to raise water from Lakes and canals etc in the 12th and 13th centuries, such as the Cams on the axle of the watermill and water wheels used to operate automata. And he described all of his machines in 1206.
Saqiya chain pumps:
This was the first chain pump which Al-Jazari described in the Islamic golden age. Firstly, it was a normal machine. There was no other device or technique to operate it. Later Al-Jazari developed it and he constructed another Saqiya chain pump which was played by the hydropower. Even it was even used for supplying water in Damascus in the 13th century until the modern day.
Water supply system:
This is another technique to supply water in various parts of the region. It was built in the 13th century. Later he developed it to drive by gears and hydropower. Its main destiny was to supply water to Damascus's mosques and Bimaristan hospitals which was firstly founded by Umayyad Caliph Al-Walid. The water was sailing from any lake by turning a scoop-wheel and a gear system which filled the Jars of water to a water channel, then that led to the mosques and hospitals in the region.
Automata
According to engineering and technology, it describes the automatic moving of mechanical and technological devices, Automata is designed and constructed as human or animal actions for performing various purposes. It is played by gears, springs, cams and levers also it includes energy such as hydraulic and pneumatic automata. Automata is important for robotic functions. Al-Jazari discovered automata which are the moving peacocks, driven by hydropower, he also invented the automatic gates, which are also moving by hydropower.
Drink-Serving waitress:
Al-Jazari invented a humanoid automaton that was a robotic waitress which could serve drinks automatically, such as water, tea and etc. in the city court of the Caliph. These kinds of devices were mostly made and played in Al-Mamun's court. Now, these devices are reconstructed by modern engineers in modern methods.
Hand washing automaton:
One of Ar-Jazari’s automata, its process was a device which was incorporated a flush mechanism. Now in the modern day, this is used in flush toilets.
Peacock fountain with automated servants:
It was one of Al-Jazari’s significant inventions known as the "Peacock Fountain". It was a complicated hand-washing device, Peacock Fountain’s feature as the humanoid automata which works as the servants serve the soaps and towels to wash the hands.
Musical Robot Band:
One of Al-Jazari's marvellous toys was created as a musical robotic automaton. It was in a boat shape, he put there four automatic dancing musicians that floated on a lake. This automaton was used for enjoyment and entertainment during the time of welcoming the guests at Royal Palace of caliphs. Also, It was used for entertainment in the parties conducted in the palace by caliphs.
Clocks
Admittedly, historians found out the historical emergence of Clocks in the Islamic golden age, until the development of clocks reached its pinnacle. Thus, the clock was invented for the need to know the real-time to pray, so it was a crucial technique to keep the time through day and night. Additionally, Al-Jazari's clocks encompass the water clocks, candle clocks and Castle clocks. Al-Jazari also discovered a variety of astronomical clocks which show the moving of the sun, Moon and stars. All of these inventions were reconstructed successfully in 1976 at the Science Museum.
Water Clock
One of his extraordinary devices known as the “Elephant clock” became the clock in an Elephant shape. It was the first clock which includes an automaton device to react after a certain time. The water clock filled water principles from Archimedes with an Indian elephant, and water times, Chinese dragons, an Egyptian phoenix, a Persian carpet and Arabian figures. This device was described in Book of Ingenious Devices in 1206 by Al-Jazari,
Candle clocks
A candle clock with intricate mechanisms used a counterweight to maintain a steady burn rate. Wax was collected and removed, and the candle powered automata. No other clock of this complexity exists.
Castle clock
It is the largest astronomical clock constructed by Badi Al-Zaman Al-Jazari, which was a most significant device In a size that was about 11 feet (3.4) meters high. It had multiple functions to keep the time and control it. The castle clock has a display of the zodiac and the solar and lunar orbits to show the time.
Contemporary mechanical scientists and their influences in the Western world
There are notable groups of mechanical engineering scientists that have transpired in the contemporary world through the variety of fields of knowledge. The information shows the line to develop technology more than the ancient era. They have played a key role in shaping the world as modern sciences, even, their impact blows amongst the Western world. Their innovative inventions in multiple fields of mechanical engineering have left an enduring remark as technological progress and mechanical development.
The most significant contemporary scientists are given below
1. Elon Musk:
He is best known for his work in aerospace engineering and electric vehicles named as SpaceX and Tesla respectively. Also, he discussed SolarCity and Tesla Energy. The process of SpaceX is the transportation to space through rockets. Tesla, that is an electric vehicle driven by automotive transportation.
- Influence: His innovations have globally flourished and mostly influenced in the Western world. His reusable technology has set new positions for mechanical engineering practices. His company created new markets to grow the economy in the Western world.
2. Gwynne Shotwell:
She is the President and coo of Spacex under Elon Musk. She has played a crucial role in the company, SpaceX has developed under her leadership and launched Falcon rockets and Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station.
- Influence: Her contributions influenced and globally extended the opportunities for overall space exploration and space activities.
Conclusion:
In annals of the Islamic golden age, Al-Jazari left a formidable legacy in the annals of the Islamic Golden Age, as can be attested by his famous kitab al-ikma and methodical treatise on automata penned down around 1206. This extraordinary display of more than 100 mechanical wonders and outlandish contraptions is a tribute to his amazing inventiveness, imaginative creativity and boundless technical proficiency. Al-Jazari demonstrated knowledge of mechanics much superior to anyone from his time, but he was also an innovator in some exciting directions that we see take fuller form later on into the field canon as known by modern engineering and science. He was born in the powerhouse of mechanical masterminds, Cizre, Turkey and grew up to be a founding father of automation & robotics while serving as chief engineer under the Artuqid dynasty.