Perpetuum Mobile; or, Search for Self-Motive Power During the 17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries. Illustrated from Various Authentic Sources, in Papers, Essays, Letters, Paragraphs, and Numerous Patent Specifications. With an Introductory Essay
London: E. & F. N. Spon, 1861. First edition. Illustrated throughout with mechanical drawings. Original cloth over boards. Octavo. xlii, 558 pages [plus 7pp ads].
An important book on the vain search for perpetual motion. Dircks was a British engineer and here gives a thorough study of the quest for a perpetual motion machine. While he did not believe such a machine was possible, he argued for scientific proof rather than outright dismissal of the idea. Illustrated througout
Dircks was a rational thinker and debunker of nonsense, and later invented the illusion now commonly known as "Pepper's Ghost." Dircks devised his "ghost" in response to what he saw as the cheap seance tricks of spiritualists.
Bound light brown cloth over boards, pale yellow endpapers. Gilt spine titles mostly faded, shallow bumps at spine ends. Two old prior owner names and a cool old bookplate on front pastedown, with one owner additionally having written his name at top of first Contents page. Very good to near fine condition.
Item #1213
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