The Theory of Vaults of Pierre Bouguer

Known as the “father of naval architecture” Pierre BouguerBouguer, Pierre (1698–1758) spent a lifetime studying the mathematics that would lead to improvements in navigation. At their heart lay the study of curves, which occupied so many important scientists of the age. This chapter traces Bouguer’s studies from his first article on the curves suitable for dome vaults to his last work on the manoeuvring of vessels, setting them in the context of their day.