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he major mission of this sourcebook is to intensify and highlight the importance 

of typical mechanical components by illustrating their versatility, innovative 

applications, history and artistry. Hopefully, this presentation will stimulate new 

ideas by giving the reader a graphic kaleidoscopic view of mechanical components, as well 

as an appreciation for their geometric grace and adaptability into complex mechanisms. 

The contents of this presentation have many sources. We searched legions of past journals 

and publications for articles about creative uses of mechanical components and selected only 

the best for inclusion in this book. Many of these classic ideas were originally printed in 

Product Engineering, a great magazine which ceased publication in the mid-1970s. 

Product Engineering was a truly unique magazine. Many issues featured a two or three page 

illustrated article that highlighted an innovate mechanical design. I was a contributor to that 

series for many years and have repeatedly received requests for reprints. Unfortunately, they 

are extremely difficult to obtain. Except for Douglas Greenwood’s books, published in the late 

1950s and early 1960s and Chironis’ Mechanisms c.57 Mechanical Devices Sourcebook, most of 

those great presentations have faded from the technical literature. I believe they should be 

preserved in a hardbound reference. The innovation captured in these illustrated articles is 

monumental and should be a source of inspiration for decades to come. Innovation and inven-

tion generally does not spring forth easily. It takes prior thought, hard work, and tenacity to 

generate novel concepts; which are followed by the struggle of their development. 

In addition, other technical magazines, like American Machinist, Machine Design, Power and 

Assembly, have generously supplied valuable articles and material from their past issues. Some 

appropriate data from classic handbooks has been included, with permission, to round out 

their respective topic. 

Several leading manufacturing companies and technical institutes have kindly furnished layouts 

and designs depicting creative applications of many mechanical components. The design files 

of Morgan & Parmley, Ltd., (Professional Consulting Engineers) were combed and several of 

their layouts incorporated into various sections to flesh out the manuscript.