Historical Design Techniques

This research includes a general study of the pre-industrial geometrical approach to design and manufacturing in which the technical drawing (or blueprint) played no role. Practical investigative research is based on an examination and analysis of extant stringed keyboard instruments and the study of a wide range of historical technological source material.

The diagram on the right is a geometric layout scheme deduced from examining a variety of 5 octave late 18th century fortepianos that are proportionally similar, although based on slightly different absolute dimensions. Further details can be found in Why didn't historical makers need drawings? Part I - Practical geometry and proportion in design and construction. Galpin Society Journal LIV (2001): 242-284 and Why didn't historical makers need drawings? Part II - Modular dimensions and the builder's Werkzoll. Galpin Society Journal, LV (2002): 183-239.

Research Piano Design Organology Design Materials Music Wire Leather Physical Systems Animal Growth Modelling Environmental Systems Teaching Linear Algebra Numerical Methods Computational Mathematics Musical Instruments Music Erard Pleyel Lipp Marcia Hadjimarkos \|homepage\|			This research includes a general study of the pre-industrial geometrical approach to design and manufacturing in which the technical drawing (or blueprint) played no role. Practical investigative research is based on an examination and analysis of extant stringed keyboard instruments and the study of a wide range of historical technological source material. The diagram on the right is a geometric layout scheme deduced from examining a variety of 5 octave late 18th century fortepianos that are proportionally similar, although based on slightly different absolute dimensions. Further details can be found in Why didn't historical makers need drawings? Part I - Practical geometry and proportion in design and construction. Galpin Society Journal LIV (2001): 242-284 and Why didn't historical makers need drawings? Part II - Modular dimensions and the builder's Werkzoll. Galpin Society Journal, LV (2002): 183-239.
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