Ancient Mechanics

The NYTimes has an interesting article on how, in ancient times, physics and mechanics were understood on a practical level long before they were understood in a theoretical sense.

“Mechanical Problems” arrived in the modern world along with Aristotle’s works. In fact, it was thought for centuries that Aristotle wrote it. “Most scholars discount that now,” Dr. Schiefsky said. Aristotle cast wide theoretical nets, he added, while “Mechanical Problems” “is much more focused.”