New contrivance for raising water
Date
3 June 1685
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p245
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 367mm
width (page): 232mm
width (page): 232mm
Subject
Content object
Description
A drawing of a perpetual fountain, designed by Denis Papin.
A glass cylinder (A) placed on a suspended base (C), with a coral-like central pole (E) which holds shell-like dishes to receive the water jetting up from two holes at the base (D).
Papin said that because the device was too fragile, he could only show its draft at a meeting of the Royal Society on 3 June 1685. The image was then printed in Philosophical Transactions vol. 15, no. 173 (1685) to advertise the invention as a 'riddle' for others to guess its design, which was a way to claim priority.
Further drawings of this contrivance may be found at Cl.P/6/37 (Robert Moray) and in the Boyle papers (RB/1/27/377). This image was coped in RBC/6/192.
A glass cylinder (A) placed on a suspended base (C), with a coral-like central pole (E) which holds shell-like dishes to receive the water jetting up from two holes at the base (D).
Papin said that because the device was too fragile, he could only show its draft at a meeting of the Royal Society on 3 June 1685. The image was then printed in Philosophical Transactions vol. 15, no. 173 (1685) to advertise the invention as a 'riddle' for others to guess its design, which was a way to claim priority.
Further drawings of this contrivance may be found at Cl.P/6/37 (Robert Moray) and in the Boyle papers (RB/1/27/377). This image was coped in RBC/6/192.
Transcription
Having seen it practised several times, that after the discovery of some new problem, the inventor propounds it as a riddle, to stir up those that are ingenious in the same kind of learning, and make them find sometimes better things then what is propounded: I have thought I might do the same, with a way for raising water, which I think surely to be new, since it is not used in considerable occasions where it might be of great advantage.
AA is a great glass made like a tumbler, but much bigger, and laid upon the chimney board BB.
CC is the engine like a small rock, that doth constantly spout out water by the two holes DD: this rock is kept at a distance from the bottom of the glass AA: so that it may plainly be seen that it cannot receive any water by subterraneal tubes.
EE is factitious coral reaching from the center of the rock CC to the center of the crown FF.
FF is a crown bearing upon the aperture of the glass AA and holding the rock CC suspended at a considerable distance from the bottom.
GG. A glass open at both ends applied to the rock CC. to keep the water upon it from falling down.
HH. Two shells to receive the water from the Jettos.
I would have brought this Engine hither, but it is so apt to be spoiled, by carrying to and fro, that I hope the R.S. will pardon me, if I keep it at my lodging, where it may be seen any time, and if they be pleased to appoint some that may come, and release one another, to watch it a whole day, and see whether it will not run constantly, nor lose any thing of its strength.
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
AA is a great glass made like a tumbler, but much bigger, and laid upon the chimney board BB.
CC is the engine like a small rock, that doth constantly spout out water by the two holes DD: this rock is kept at a distance from the bottom of the glass AA: so that it may plainly be seen that it cannot receive any water by subterraneal tubes.
EE is factitious coral reaching from the center of the rock CC to the center of the crown FF.
FF is a crown bearing upon the aperture of the glass AA and holding the rock CC suspended at a considerable distance from the bottom.
GG. A glass open at both ends applied to the rock CC. to keep the water upon it from falling down.
HH. Two shells to receive the water from the Jettos.
I would have brought this Engine hither, but it is so apt to be spoiled, by carrying to and fro, that I hope the R.S. will pardon me, if I keep it at my lodging, where it may be seen any time, and if they be pleased to appoint some that may come, and release one another, to watch it a whole day, and see whether it will not run constantly, nor lose any thing of its strength.
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
Object history
At the meeting of the Royal Society on 3 June 1685, ‘Dr. Papin produced the draught of a fountain of his own contrivance, which being liable to be spoiled by being removed, he desired the Society to appoint some persons to see the working of it for a whole day together, whether it will not run constantly without losing any thing of its strength’ (Birch 4:405).
This design was printed in Denis Papin, ‘A new way of raising water’, Phil. Trans. vol. 15, no. 173 (July 1685), pp. 1093-94.
This design was printed in Denis Papin, ‘A new way of raising water’, Phil. Trans. vol. 15, no. 173 (July 1685), pp. 1093-94.
Related fellows
Denis Papin (1647, French) , Natural philosopher
Associated place