Pre 1600
Advent of CE – 1300
Arabian, Persian and European scientists develop the fields of mathematics and chemistry while studying Alchemy. The field of medicine takes root as theories of disease are developed. In 1095 the Crusades began and would continue to 1291; ideas and theories (including scientific discoveries and inventions) are exchanged by different groups of people meeting for the first time.
The Renaissance (1300-1600)
Learning flourishes across Europe. Rigorous study based on empirical evidence replaces superstition. Sailing ships explore the worlds’ waters and new continents are discovered and explored. Copernicus publishes his theory that the earth revolves around the sun. Printing, as opposed to hand copying, becomes commonplace allowing the easy transfer of knowledge.
1119
Magnetic compasses are first used in China.
1180
Windmills are in use as a power source in Europe.
1200
Reproduction Topkapi Museum
1200
The most famous amongst them is Al-Jazari. He wrote Automata - which is considered the most important text for the study of the History of Technology. This book is richly illustrated and gives the state of the art of technology in the middle ages and shows how advanced technology in that time was compared with the western countries.(6) Al-Jazari is credited with creating the earliest forms of a programmable humanoid robot in 1206.[11] Al-Jazari's automaton was originally a boat with four automatic musicians that floated on a lake to entertain guests at royal drinking parties. His mechanism had a programmable drum machine with pegs (cams) that bump into little levers that operated the percussion. The drummer could be made to play different rhythms and different drum patterns if the pegs were moved around.[12] According to Charles B. Fowler, the automata were a "robot band" which performed "more than fifty facial and body actions during each musical selection."[13] Al-Jazari also invented a hand washing automaton first employing the flush mechanism now used in modern flush toilets. It features a female automaton standing by a basin filled with water. When the user pulls the lever, the water drains and the female automaton refills the basin.[14] His "peacock fountain" was another more sophisticated hand washing device featuring humanoid automata as servants which offer soap and towels.
1495
In approximately 1495, before he began work on the Last Supper, Leonardo daVinci designed and possibly the first humanoid robot in Western civilization. This armored robot knight was designed to sit up, wave its arms, and move its head via a flexible neck while opening and closing its anatomically correct jaw. It may have made sounds to the accompaniment of automated drums.
1525
The first real android in human form is built by Hans Bullmann in Nuernberg Germany. He is said to have created quite a few androids some of which can even play musical instruments to the delight of paying customers.
1560
A wooden monk automata built in approximately 1560 that, with modern tooling, would take a few months to get develop. During the Dark Ages it would have taken much longer to build. Its purpose is unknown.
1564
In Dix livres de chirurgie (Paris 1564) Pare Ambroise publishes a design of a mechanical hand. This level of mechanics opens enormous possibilities.
