Developments in Kinematics of Mechanisms
摘要
In this chapter we discuss the genesis of the straight-line linkage that was soon called ‘Watt’s parallelogram’. It describes approximately a straight line. We discuss the first attempts to mathematically understand its functioning. The invention led to great nineteenth century interest linkages and in particular in straight-line mechanisms. It also led to attempts to find an exact straight-line mechanism. We describe how the Frenchman PeaucellierPeaucellierCharles Nicolas discovered the first mechanism of this kind.