This book offers insights relevant to modern history and epistemology of physics,

mathematics and, indeed, to all the sciences and engineering disciplines emerging

of 19th century. This research volume is the first of a set of three Springer books on

Lazare Nicolas Marguérite Carnot's (17531823) remarkable work: Essay on Machines in

General (Essai sur les machines en général [1783] 1786). The other two forthcoming

volumes are: Principes fondamentaux de l'équilibre et du mouvement (1803) and

Géométrie de position (1803).

Lazare Carnot l'organisateur de la victoire in Essai sur le machine en général (1786) assumed that the generalization of machines was a necessity for society and its economic development. Subsequently, his new coming science applied to machines attracted

considerable interest for technician, as well, already in the 1780's. With no lack in

rigour, Carnot used geometric and trigonometric rather than algebraic arguments, and

usually went on to explain in words what the formulae contained. His main physical

mathematical concepts were the Geometric motion and Moment of activityconcept of

Work . In particular, he found the invariants of the transmission of motion (by stating

the principle of the moment of the quantity of motion) and theorized the condition of the maximum efficiency of mechanical machines (i.e., principle of continuity in the transmission of power).

While the core theme remains the theories and historical studies of the text, the book

contains an extensive Introduction and an accurate critical English Translation

including the parallel text edition and substantive critical/explicative notes of Essai

sur les machines en général (1786). The authors offer much-needed insight into the

relation between mechanics, mathematics and engineering from a conceptual, empirical

and methodological, and universalis point of view. As a cuttingedge writing by

leading authorities on the history of physics and mathematics, and epistemological aspects, it appeals to historians, epistemologistphilosophers and scientists (physicists,

mathematicians and applied sciences and technology).

Offers translations and commentaries of key works by Lazare Carnot (17531823) Explores the relation between mechanics, mathematics and engineering from a conceptual, empirical and methodological point of view Helps readers to better understand the connection between mathematical science and philosophy in Carnot's works

Autorentext
Prof. Dr. Raffaele Pisano, HDR (Italy, 1970) is a Physicist and Full Professor at the IEMN CNRS-Lille University, Lille, France. His fields of research | teaching are: History of Physics, History of Physics-Mathematics/Theoretical Physics, History of Applied Sciences and Technology, Historical Epistemology of Science, Comparative and Intellectual History, NoS | History of Science & Teaching. Since 2017, he is elected President of the Inter-Divisional Teaching Commission(DLMPST/IUHPST/DHST). Dr. Jennifer Coopersmith is a physicist, philosopher, and writer of general physics books. Honorary Research Associate, University of La Trobe, Melbourne, Australia. Murray Peake is a retired Information Technology consultant now living in Brittany.

Inhalt
Introduction.- Chapter 1. A Critical Translation.- Chapter 2. End Notes.- Chapter 3. Lazare Carnot's Manuscripts and Documents.- References.- Analytical Index. <p