Acting in Turn

Synopsis

Traces the development of the gear from the first recorded use in a crude form over two thousand years ago to its widespread use in many forms today. A lever is a means of transferring power. The gear wheel is essentially a series of levers acting in turn. The original wooden gear wheel enabled the power of harnessed animals to be used for raising water and made the water mill and windmill possible. Mechanical clocks led to the use of metal gears, and the need for more accurate time-keeping led to work on the theory of gears and the correct profile for their teeth. The steam engine and the spread of the Industrial Revolution led to further developments and the universal use of the internal combustion engine, the turbine, motorised transport and the electric motor.

Language

English

Year of production

1974

Availability

Out of distribution

Uses

Introductory courses in mechanical engineering, industrial archaeology and history of technology.*

Subjects

Engineering; Technology

Keywords

gears; industrial development; mechanical engineering

Credits

Director

Robin Jackson

Producer

George Seager

Production Company

Name

Shell Film Unit

Distributor

Name

Shell Film Services

Contact

Jane Poynor

Email

Filmservices@Shell.com

Web

http://www.shell.com/ External site opens in new window

Address

Shell International
Creative Solutions
Shell Centre
London
SE1 7NA

Notes

The Shell Film Unit collection has been deposited in the BFI’s National Film & Video Archive