Hello carlabr-ga,
I?ve found you a nice selection of Roman inventions that are still in
use today. Roman engineering and architecture were a major influence
on Western civilization and I?ve collected some sites that discuss
these for you. I?ve also included other links that discuss more
mundane inventions like the horseshoe, concrete and double paned
glass.
Enjoy!
~ czh ~
http://www.plumbingworld.com/historyroman.html
The History of Plumbing - Roman and English Legacy
But it's to the plumbing engineers of the Old Roman Empire that the
Western world owes its allegiance. The glory of the Roman legions lay
not only in the roads they built and the system of law and order they
provided. It was their engineering genius and the skill of their
craftsmen that enabled them to erect great baths and recreation
centers, the water supplied by aqueducts from sources miles away.
Plumbing Defined: While early pipe and conduit was made from wood or
earthenware, later refinement to lead made skilled workers in lead
indispensable. The Latin term "plumbus" means "lead," as was also the
weight at the end of a line for perpendicular alignment. The plumber
was a worker in lead who, in today's connotation, repairs or fits the
apparatus of water distribution in and to a building. The Roman
artisan plumbed pipe, soldered, installed and repaired; he worked on
roofs and gutters, down to sewers and drains; in essence, everything
involving supply and waste. In fact, this general job description of
plumbers' work lasted into the 20th century.
***** This is a long article accompanies by some pictures that gives
you an excellent overview of the Romans? engineering achievements
regarding plumbing.
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http://www.imh.org/imh/kyhpl1d.html
A Chronological History of Humans and Their Relationship With the Horse
The Earliest Horseshoe
The first horseshoes were manufactured by the Romans and were known as
"hipposandals." These iron shoes were not nailed to the horse's hoof,
but were tied to the hoof with leather thongs. These devices would
have decreased hoof wear when the harness or draft horse traveled on
paved roads. However, these early shoes were very heavy, and they
could not have been attached to the horse with any great firmness.
***** This article also has some excellent information about the Roman
road systems, parts of which are still in use.
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http://www.arch.mcgill.ca/prof/sijpkes/arch304/winter2001/cszasz/u1/roman.htm
The Influence of Roman Engineering and Architecture
***** This article expands on the engineering achievements of the
Romans and many of their inventions are still used today.
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http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0842316.html
Roman roads
Roman roads, ancient system of highways linking Rome with its most
distant provinces. The roads often ran in a straight line, regardless
of obstacles, and were efficiently constructed, generally in four
layers of materials; the uppermost layer was a pavement of flat, hard
stones, concrete, or pebbles set in mortar. Roads were built or
rebuilt by the Romans throughout the empire in Europe, Asia, and
Africa. Many modern roads are laid out on their routes, and some of
the old bridges are still in use.
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http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~mharrsch/academicpres.html
Academic Presentations on The Roman Empire
Monday, February 28, 2005
Comment (0) Rome explored in new Science Channel program WHAT THE
ANCIENTS KNEW ( 2:31 PM ) Libitina
The World's Most Influential Civilizations are Explored in The Science
Channel's Three-Part Series, WHAT THE ANCIENTS KNEW, Beginning Monday,
March 14: "On Monday, March 14, viewers travel the globe to see sites
of some of the world's earliest inventions, beginning with those of
ancient Rome. Roman scientists and engineers were the first to be
deployed to conquered provinces, and it was their ingenuity that
linked the vast Roman Empire together with sophisticated bridges and
roads, solidifying Roman rule over a swath of territory that in its
heyday extended from Scotland to Syria. Masters of incorporating
innovations from the cultures they dominated, the Romans spread the
concepts of clean water distribution and sewer systems -- as well as
the ubiquitous Roman bath -- to far-flung outposts of the empire. The
Romans used the aqueduct to distribute water, the catapult to defend
their cities, and the hypocaust (the first radiant heat apparatus) to
heat the Roman baths. They also invented double-pane glass, public
bathrooms and one of the first prototypes of industrialization -- a
water-powered flour factory that could feed a minimum of 12,000 people
each day. The Romans used concrete to build almost everything and made
use of a drum crane for building projects, which allowed them to use a
measly four pounds of lifting pressure to lift an astonishing 4,000
pounds." #
***** This is a wonderful Web site that gives dozens of relevant
articles. This particular posting had several examples of Roman
inventions that we still use today.
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