There are numerous contenders for the title of “world’s greatest invention.” From the wheel to the printing press, and the steam engine, each has played a pivotal role in shaping human history. However, a new book posits that this title should be awarded to a lesser-known innovation: the mechanised sawmill invented by Dutchman Cornelis Corneliszoon in 1593.
According to Jaime Dávila in his book Forgotten: How One Man Unlocked The Modern World, the mechanised sawmill revolutionized shipbuilding. “Before mechanised sawing, constructing a modest merchant vessel required approximately ten sawyers working for three months,” writes Dávila. “With wind-powered sawmills, the same quantity of processed timber could be produced in less than a week.”
This breakthrough allowed the Dutch to build ships faster than any other nation, catalyzing a century of Dutch maritime, economic, and cultural dominance across Europe and the world.
The Ingenious Mechanism Behind the Sawmill
Corneliszoon’s sawmill is described by Dávila as “mankind’s first true industrial machine.” The design was ingeniously simple yet effective. A windmill turned a wheel, and one component transformed the rotary motion into an up-and-down motion for the cutting blade. Another component converted the rotary motion into a sideways motion, feeding the log to the blade. A ratchet system moved the log forward one precise increment per cycle.
“Each element was modest on its own,” Dávila notes. “Corneliszoon’s genius was to combine them so they acted in a perfectly controlled sequence, cutting on every downward stroke and advancing on every return stroke. It was an astonishingly intelligent use of basic components.”
Impact on the Dutch Golden Age
The mechanised sawmill’s impact was profound. The ability to produce ships quickly and efficiently allowed the Dutch to dominate global trade routes. This maritime supremacy contributed significantly to the Dutch Golden Age, a period of great wealth, cultural achievement, and scientific advancement in the Netherlands.
During this era, the Dutch East India Company became one of the world’s first multinational corporations, and the Netherlands emerged as a leading financial center. The rapid shipbuilding capability provided by Corneliszoon’s invention was a crucial factor in these developments.
Reimagining Corneliszoon’s Invention
In a nod to Corneliszoon’s ingenuity, today’s puzzle challenges readers to reinvent one of the basic ideas behind his machine. The task is to design a machine that converts rotary motion into up-and-down motion using only a rotating disc, two pins, two rods, and a guide—a cylinder or sleeve into which one of the rods will fit perfectly.
As readers ponder this challenge, they are encouraged to suggest other candidates for the world’s greatest invention, avoiding obvious choices.
The Legacy of Corneliszoon’s Sawmill
Corneliszoon’s mechanised sawmill represents a pivotal moment in the history of industrial machinery. It laid the groundwork for future innovations and demonstrated the power of mechanization in transforming industries.
While often overshadowed by more famous inventions, the mechanised sawmill’s influence on shipbuilding and the Dutch economy cannot be overstated. As Dávila’s book highlights, understanding such forgotten inventions is crucial in appreciating the complex tapestry of technological progress that has shaped our modern world.
Forgotten: How One Man Unlocked The Modern World by Jaime Dávila is set to be published on December 18, offering a deeper dive into the story of Corneliszoon and his groundbreaking invention.
