This book offers insights relevant to modern history and epistemology of physics,

mathematics and, indeed, to all the sciences and engineering disciplines emerging

of 19th century. This research volume is the first of a set of three Springer books on

Lazare Nicolas Marguerite Carnot’s (1753-1823) remarkable work: Essay on Machines in

General (Essai sur les machines en general [1783] 1786). The other two forthcoming

volumes are: Principes fondamentaux de l'equilibre et du mouvement (1803) and

Geometrie de position (1803).

Lazare Carnot - l'organisateur de la victoire - in Essai sur le machine en general (1786)

assumed that the generalization of machines was a necessity for society and its economic

development. Subsequently, his new coming science applied to machines attracted

considerable interest for technician, as well, already in the 1780’s. With no lack in

rigour, Carnot used geometric and trigonometric rather than algebraic arguments, and

usually went on to explain in words what the formulae contained. His main physical-

mathematical concepts were the Geometric motion and Moment of activity-concept of

Work . In particular, he found the invariants of the transmission of motion (by stating

the principle of the moment of the quantity of motion) and theorized the condition of

the maximum efficiency of mechanical machines (i.e., principle of continuity in the

transmission of power).

While the core theme remains the theories and historical studies of the text, the book

contains an extensive Introduction and an accurate critical English Translation -

including the parallel text edition and substantive critical/explicative notes - of Essai

sur les machines en general (1786). The authors offer much-needed insight into the

relation between mechanics, mathematics and engineering from a conceptual, empirical

and methodological, and universalis point of view. As a cutting-edge writing by

leading authorities on the history of physics and mathematics, and epistemological

aspects, it appeals to historians, epistemologist-philosophers and scientists (physicists,

mathematicians and applied sciences and technology).