Al-Jazari
The Father of Robotics & Ingenious Mechanical Devices
Al-Jazari and his Book of Inventions
Al-Jazari, whose full name was Badīʿ az-Zamān Abū l-ʿIzz Ismāʿīl ibn ar-Razāz al-Jazarī, was a polymath, inventor, mechanical engineer, craftsman, artist, and mathematician who lived during the Islamic Golden Age.
800 years ago, a brilliant Muslim engineer in southeast Anatolia amazed the world with his incredible machines: water clocks, pumps, combination locks, and even mechanical robots that could pour a drink! At the request of the sultan he served, he wrote a book describing all 50 of his amazing inventions, calling it The Compendium on the Theory and Practice of the Useful Mechanical Arts. Filled with colorful and detailed illustrations showing how each invention worked, this book is not just a record of past technology — it’s also a window into the creativity and artistic flair of this medieval master and his time. Visit the website now to discover the fascinating life and groundbreaking work of this medieval genius!
Mechanical Devices
Years of Service
AD Published Work
Al-Jazari Inventions
Discover the mechanical marvels that shaped the future of engineering
A hand-washing device
Detached folio from a dispersed copy of the Kitab fi ma`arifat al-hiyal al-handisaya (The book of knowledge of ingenious mechanical devices), “Automata,” by al-Jazari; text: Arabic in black and red naskh script; recto: A hand-washing device; verso: text, one column, 21 lines; one of a group of 8 folios.
A hydraulic device
Detached folio from a dispersed copy of the Kitab fi ma’arifat al-hiyal al-handisaya (The book of knowledge of ingenious mechanical devices), “Automata,” by al-Jazari; text: Arabic in black naskh script; recto: Two drinking men; verso: text, A hydraulic device, one column, 21 lines; one of a group of 8 folios.
A musical toy in the form of a boat
Detached folio from a dispersed copy of the Kitab fi ma’arifat al-hiyal al-handisaya (The book of knowledge of ingenious mechanical devices), “Automata,” by al-Jazari; text: Arabic in black naskh script; A musical toy in the form of a boat; reverse: text, one column, 21 lines; one of a group of 8 folios.
Kitab fi ma’rifat al-hiyal al-handasiyya
“The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices”
Completed in 1206 AD, this extraordinary manuscript contains detailed descriptions and illustrations of over 50 mechanical devices. Each invention is meticulously documented with assembly instructions, making it one of the first technical manuals in history.
Water Clocks
10
Monumental timepieces powered by flowing water
Automata
10
Self-operating mechanical figures
Fountains
10
Decorative water features for royal courts
Mechanisms
20
Practical devices for everyday use
A Legacy That Shaped the World
The inventions and innovations of Al-Jazari continue to influence modern engineering and robotics
The Crankshaft
Al-Jazari’s invention of the crankshaft mechanism became fundamental to mechanical engineering, later powering steam engines and automobiles.
Programmable Machines
His automata could be programmed to perform different sequences, establishing the conceptual foundation for computer programming.
Segmental Gears
He invented the segmental gear, which converts rotary motion to linear motion — essential in countless modern machines.
Precision Engineering
His detailed manufacturing techniques and documentation methods set standards that influenced engineering for centuries.
“I have composed this book to benefit mankind and to assist in its well-being.”
— Al-Jazari, 1206 AD