Anyone interested in the history of mechanical technology might find interesting the series that I have published in Mechanical Engineering magazine.
Galileo’s Telescope Lenses
http://www.memagazine.org/oct06/features/clearas/clearas.html
Atmospheric Railway
http://www.memagazine.org/backissues/feb06 /features/tallyho/tallyho.html
Gutenberg:
http://www.memagazine.org/backissues/oct05/features/massprod/massprod.h…
Hydraulis:
http://www.memagazine.org/backissues/april05/features/organic/organic.html
Chariot wheel bearings:
http://www.memagazine.org/backissues/nov04/features/tutstrib/tutstrib.h…
The Capitol Dome:
http://www.memagazine.org/backissues/june03/features/capdome/capdome.ht…
Roman surveying:
http://www.memagazine.org/backissues/sept03/features/feroman/feroman.ht…
Newcomen Engine:
http://www.memagazine.org/backissues/dec03/features/harnessing/harnessi…
Computer graphics:
http://www.memagazine.org/backissues/nov02/features/drawexp/drawexp.html