Agamenon R. E. Oliveira – författare

This book investigates the development of mechanical sciences with a focus on epistemological issues. It examines the precursors and fundamental milestones of Newton''s theory of motion, a geometry of motion since Greek antiquity, the influences of Robert Hooke on Newton''s studies on the orbital motion of the planets, and finally, the orbital motion model with a central force inversely proportional to the square of the distance to this centre. By looking at the development of mechanics throughout history, especially with a careful look at epistemological issues, the book highlights the multiple relationships that the mechanical sciences build with other sciences, the economy, and the popular culture.

This book traces the history of the concept of work from its earliest stages and shows that its further formalization leads to equilibrium principle and to the principle of virtual works, and so pointing the way ahead for future research and applications.

The idea that something remains constant in a machine operation is very old and has been expressed by many mathematicians and philosophers such as, for instance, Aristotle. Thus, a concept of energy developed. Another important idea in machine operation is Archimedes'' lever principle.

In modern times the concept of work is analyzed in the context of applied mechanics mainly in Lazare Carnot mechanics and the mechanics of the new generation of polytechnical engineers like Navier, Coriolis and Poncelet. In this context the word "work" is finally adopted. These engineers are also responsible for the incorporation of the concept of work into the discipline of economics when they endeavoured to combine the study of the work of machines and men together.