Italian Mechanism Models from Blotto Catalogue in Late XIX Century

Abstract

In the late 19 th century, the teaching of mechanics and mechanical engineering at Italian engineering schools was based on physical models that were used as a teaching tool to show practical applications to students even in theoretical courses. A similar approach was applied in the European academic world (later worldwide) until the end of the 20 th century with the use of computers and computer-aided design, which led to a digitalisation of teaching tools, including mechanical models as CAD models for simulation. The objective of this paper is to illustrate the relationship between the mechanical models available in Italy and the classification of mechanisms developed at this time by notable Italian figures working in teaching Theory of Machines and Mechanisms (TMM). In particular, the catalogue of mechanism models made by Giovanni Blotto in the early mid-19 th century is discussed as linked to the mechanism classification that was originally proposed in 1845 by Carlo Ignazio Giulio, at the Royal School of Applications for Engineers of Turin, Italy (today the Politecnico of Turin), some before the famous Voigt-Releaux models. Mechanism models from the main collections of the engineering schools at Italian universities are discussed, not only coming from Blotto production, to show the fascination that these models still produce so that they can still be considered from both educational and museum perspectives.