Pulley System Collection

The use of pulleys to make it possible to lock and unlock doors without getting out of bed, 1850
3330952 The use of pulleys to make it possible to lock and unlock doors without getting out of bed, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the use of pulleys to make it possible to lock)

A machine for lifting weights, illustration from De re Militari by Roberto Valturio (1405-75)
XIR217237 A machine for lifting weights, illustration from De re Militari by Roberto Valturio (1405-75) 1470 (pen & ink and w/c on paper) by Italian School, (15th century); Biblioteca Capitolare

A siege machine, illustration from De re Militari by Roberto Valturio (1405-75) 1470 (pen & ink and w / c on paper)
XIR217236 A siege machine, illustration from De re Militari by Roberto Valturio (1405-75) 1470 (pen & ink and w/c on paper) by Italian School, (15th century); Biblioteca Capitolare, Padua, Italy

War machine (pencil on paper)
FTB165449 War machine (pencil on paper) by Vinci, Leonardo da (1452-1519); Gallerie dell Accademia, Venice, Italy; (add.info.: Instruments for hurling stones and darts); Italian, out of copyright

Collecting Water from the Nile, plate 6 from Volume II Arts and Trades of
STC89016 Collecting Water from the Nile, plate 6 from Volume II Arts and Trades of Description of Egypt, pub. under the orders of Napoleon, 1822 (engraving) by Conte

The British Machinery Department, Class 5 of the Great Industrial Exhibition of All
STC61548 The British Machinery Department, Class 5 of the Great Industrial Exhibition of All Nations, 1851, engraved by the artist, pub. by Ackermann & Co

Collecting Water from the Nile, plate 6 from Volume II Arts and Trades of
STC263555 Collecting Water from the Nile, plate 6 from Volume II Arts and Trades of Description of Egypt, pub. under the orders of Napoleon, 1822 (engraving) (later colouration) by Conte

Untitled, 1898 (oil on canvas)
Ma198559 Untitled, 1898 (oil on canvas) by Sims, Charles (1873-1928); Private Collection; Photo eThe Ms Gallery, London; English, out of copyright

Incline boat carried to an upper canal level, 1797 (w / c on paper)
NYH149806 Incline boat carried to an upper canal level, 1797 (w/c on paper) by Fulton, Robert (1765-1815); 26.7x40.6 cm; Collection of the New-York Historical Society

Edystone Lighthouse engraved by John Record (fl. 1768-86), 1786 (engraving)
STC149893 Edystone Lighthouse engraved by John Record (fl.1768-86), 1786 (engraving) by Winstanley, Henry (1644-1703) (after); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

View of Godings New Lion Ale Brewery, Fowlers Iron Works and Walker
GHL185497 View of Godings New Lion Ale Brewery, Fowlers Iron Works and Walkers Shot Manufactory, Lambeth, 1836 (aquatint) by Turner

John Fitchs (1743-98) second steamboat, 1788 (engraving)
PNP248808 John Fitchs (1743-98) second steamboat, 1788 (engraving) by American School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Barges Moored Near New London Bridge (w / c)
SPI52413 Barges Moored Near New London Bridge (w/c) by Ward, John (1798-1849); John Spink Fine Watercolours, London, UK; English, out of copyright

Town gate in Gdansk Showing the Long Gardens, from Fifty Views of Gdansk
NMG146030 Town gate in Gdansk Showing the Long Gardens, from Fifty Views of Gdansk, engraved by Matthaeus Deisch (1724-89) 1761-65 (etching) by Lohrmann, or Lormann

Builders at work in the 15th century, from The National and Domestic History
KW322689 Builders at work in the 15th century, from The National and Domestic History of England by William Hickman Smith Aubrey (1858-1916) published London, c.1890 (litho) by English School

Landscape with a Foundry, 1595 (oil on panel)
XIR61803 Landscape with a Foundry, 1595 (oil on panel) by Valckenborch, Lucas van (c.1535-97); 41x64 cm; Prado, Madrid, Spain; Dutch, out of copyright

Silver Mining in Nevada, c. 1870, from American Pictures, published by The
KW187916 Silver Mining in Nevada, c.1870, from American Pictures, published by The Religious Tract Society, 1876 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; Ken Welsh; English

Building work, engraved by M. Schedl (engraving) (b / w photo)
XJF147928 Building work, engraved by M. Schedl (engraving) (b/w photo) by Rostagni, Francesco (18th century) (after); Private Collection; Italian, out of copyright

The well in front of the farmhouse (pen and brown ink and brown wash on paper)
XKH145565 The well in front of the farmhouse (pen and brown ink and brown wash on paper) by Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (1606-69); 17.8x23.5 cm; Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg, Germany; Dutch

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The pulley system has a long and varied history, serving both practical and sinister purposes throughout the ages. From the cruel torture of slaves in Brazil to the ingenious machines designed by Roberto Valturio, this simple yet effective device has left its mark on humanity. In one instance, we witness the horrifying scene depicted in "Slaves in Brazil: The Terrible Torture of a Slave. " This wood engraving from 1865 captures the brutality endured by those unfortunate souls who were subjected to unimaginable suffering through the use of pulleys. On a more positive note, we see how this versatile invention found its way into various fields. In Roberto Valturio's illustrations from his work "De re Militari, " we observe a machine for lifting weights as well as a siege machine. These pen and ink drawings with watercolor highlights showcase how pulleys played an essential role in warfare strategies during that time. Moving forward, we delve into industrial advancements with depictions such as "The British Machinery Department" at the Great Industrial Exhibition. Here, engineers proudly displayed their innovative machinery employing pulley systems to revolutionize production processes across different industries. Artistic interpretations also capture our attention when examining works like "Untitled" from 1898. Through oil on canvas brushstrokes, an artist brings forth their unique perspective on how pulleys intertwine with daily life or perhaps symbolize something deeper within human existence. Furthermore, historical records reveal fascinating applications of pulleys beyond warfare and industry. For instance, an intriguing watercolor painting titled "Incline boat carried to an upper canal level" showcases how these mechanisms facilitated transportation along canals back in 1797. Even iconic landmarks owe some credit to this humble invention; take John Record's engraved depiction of Edystone Lighthouse from 1786. Pulley systems played a crucial role in constructing such magnificent structures that have stood against nature's forces for centuries.