Jacob Leupold
Leipzig: Christoph Zunkel, 1726.

First edition, first printing, of the first book printed in Germany on bridges and bridge-building. From the encyclopedic series of works on mechanical technology and engineering, Theatrum Machinarum, by German physicist, mathematician, and engineer Jacob Leupold (1674-1727). [A clear instruction on how one can not only cross ditches, streams and rivers in various ways, but also save one’s life in times of water with certain machines and special clothing. Furthermore, according to all circumstances and coincidences, convenient and durable bridges, both wooden ones with yokes or stone posts, and without them with rigging and blasting works, as well as entirely of stone, according to art, to build advantageously and permanently. Then also how many examples of sailing, flying, storm-field and similar bridges can be given. All with many examples and the most distinguished makers in and outside Germany, but especially with a complete description of their pontoons, presented and explained in 60 copper plates.] The first 4 plates show a variety of methods for crossing bodies of water including an array of unusual diving and floating devices, the rest devoted to the architecture and engineering of bridges.