A Sixteenth-Century Dutch Invention That Changed the Course of History
In his new book "Forgotten: How One Man Unlocked The Modern World", historian Jaime Dávila reveals that a Dutch inventor's ingenious creation in the sixteenth century laid the foundation for many of the technological advancements we enjoy today. Cornelis Corneliszoon, a craftsman from the Netherlands, designed a sawmill that not only revolutionized woodcutting but also became the world's first industrial machine.
By converting rotary motion to up-and-down motion, Corneliszoon created a system that enabled the Dutch to build boats and establish themselves as a major trading nation. The impact of his invention was so significant that it ultimately led to the establishment of the settlement that would become New York City.
So, what exactly did Corneliszoon do? In essence, he designed a simple yet effective machine that used two pins and rods to convert rotary motion into linear motion. By placing one end of a rod on a rotating disc and attaching it to a second rod in a guide, the inventor created a system that could push a log horizontally or pull it vertically.
The illustration accompanying this article shows the wheel turning anticlockwise, pulling the rod down and then pushing it up as it moves around. This basic design has been replicated throughout history, with various modifications and improvements made over time.
Corneliszoon's innovative creation is often overlooked in discussions of great inventions, but its significance cannot be overstated. It marked a significant turning point in the development of industrial machinery and had far-reaching consequences for trade, transportation, and commerce.
While we may not give much thought to the humble sawmill or its inventor today, it is undeniable that Corneliszoon's ingenuity played a pivotal role in shaping the modern world as we know it. His legacy serves as a testament to the power of human innovation and creativity, reminding us that even the most seemingly simple ideas can have profound consequences when executed with skill and vision.
In his new book "Forgotten: How One Man Unlocked The Modern World", historian Jaime Dávila reveals that a Dutch inventor's ingenious creation in the sixteenth century laid the foundation for many of the technological advancements we enjoy today. Cornelis Corneliszoon, a craftsman from the Netherlands, designed a sawmill that not only revolutionized woodcutting but also became the world's first industrial machine.
By converting rotary motion to up-and-down motion, Corneliszoon created a system that enabled the Dutch to build boats and establish themselves as a major trading nation. The impact of his invention was so significant that it ultimately led to the establishment of the settlement that would become New York City.
So, what exactly did Corneliszoon do? In essence, he designed a simple yet effective machine that used two pins and rods to convert rotary motion into linear motion. By placing one end of a rod on a rotating disc and attaching it to a second rod in a guide, the inventor created a system that could push a log horizontally or pull it vertically.
The illustration accompanying this article shows the wheel turning anticlockwise, pulling the rod down and then pushing it up as it moves around. This basic design has been replicated throughout history, with various modifications and improvements made over time.
Corneliszoon's innovative creation is often overlooked in discussions of great inventions, but its significance cannot be overstated. It marked a significant turning point in the development of industrial machinery and had far-reaching consequences for trade, transportation, and commerce.
While we may not give much thought to the humble sawmill or its inventor today, it is undeniable that Corneliszoon's ingenuity played a pivotal role in shaping the modern world as we know it. His legacy serves as a testament to the power of human innovation and creativity, reminding us that even the most seemingly simple ideas can have profound consequences when executed with skill and vision.
. I mean, how hard is it to create a sawmill? It's not like he discovered fire or something 
. And don't even get me started on the whole "it marked a significant turning point in industrial machinery" thing... big deal 
. Everyone and their grandma knew about the potential of machines by then. Plus, let's be real, New York City was basically just a bunch of colonies bumping into each other anyway 
️. I think it's time to give some credit to the people who actually built the city, not just some dude with a sawmill 
. And can we please retire this "simple yet effective" nonsense? It's been done to death 
.
I mean, come on... a 16th century sawmill? That's like saying the invention of the wheel is just a minor footnote in history 
. Like, have you seen the latest advancements in AI or renewable energy? Those are the things that'll change the course of history, not some old sawmill design 
.
. And you know who else could've benefited from this tech? The British! They were already established as a major trading nation, but Corneliszoon's sawmill gave the Dutch an edge in terms of industrial capabilities... now, if you think about it, that's like, some pretty serious implications for the balance of power in Europe during that time period 
.
... anyway back to this Dutch guy Corneliszoon... so like his invention is kinda cool I guess 
but it's not like he just invented the wheel or anything 
... what even is a sawmill again? is it like a big machine that cuts wood for ships and stuff? 
! I mean, think about it, without him and his genius invention, we probably wouldn't be driving cars or planes today 
! It's crazy to think that something so simple yet effective has had such a huge impact on our daily lives. And can you believe he basically created the foundation for New York City? That's wild! I'm definitely gonna have to check out this book "Forgotten: How One Man Unlocked The Modern World" 
, sounds like it's gonna be super insightful!
I love how he just took two pins and rods and turned them into a machine that changed the course of history. And it's crazy to think that this was basically his big contribution to the world... I mean, it's not like he invented electricity or anything (unfortunately 
another old invention gets some love lol the sawmill is actually kinda cool i guess but its impact was huge 
and we're still using a variation of his design today it just goes to show how much innovation has changed our world for the better or worse 
Meanwhile, I checked on Corneliszoon and found he was born around 1565 which is like, totally before the internet era 