Smeaton, J(ohn). Research experimentales sur l'eau et le vent... d'une Introduction par M. P(ierre) S(imon) Girard. 2 Bl., XXVIII, 102 pp., 1 Bl. "Table". With 5 folded stitched plates from N. L. Rousseau to J. Smeaton. 27.5 x 21 cm. Light red cardboard tape d. C. (back and edges discoloured. Corners and capitals toast) with gold-embossed title and gold-embroidered border on both lids. Paris, Courcier and La Haye, Immerzeel, 1810. Weinreb 45/491. Roberts-Trent S. 297, Skempton 1343 and Andrews: Hydraulics 356 (original edition). Karmarsch: Gesch. der Technologie S. 196 und 201. Singer: Hist. of Techn. IV, pp. 151 et seq. (with 3 illustrations). Buchheim-Sonnemann 187 (with fig.) Matschoss p. 254. – First French edition of "Experimental Enquiry Concerning the Natural Powers of Wind and Water to turn Mills and other Machines..." (London 1794). This work is considered a milestone in the history of the experiment with models in technical sciences. In 1752 and 1753 Smeaton (1724-1792) had experimented with above and underslaughtered water wheels and discovered the superiority of the former. In 1758 he examined the common theories of windmills and provided "valuable information about the functional construction of the wind wings" (Karmarsch). The results were published in the "Philosophical Transactions" and published posthumously in a volume in 1794. For the study of the effectiveness of water wheels and windmills, they have been groundbreaking. "Girard's enthusiastic translation of Smeaton's work early in the 19th century gave it a place of prominence in French as well as English engineering literature". (Rouse/Ince S. 121ff. with 2 figs., here p. 123). The copper shows the experimental models and are good copies of the original edition. In part they also specify the scale in meters. – Purpose with personal dedication with signature of the important engineer, hydraulician and translator P. S. Girard (1765-1863) for his no less important colleague and "bon Camarade" Joseph Mathieu Sganzin (1750-1837). Title, 1. Sheets and plates stamped by the "Société d'encouragement (pour l') industrielle nationale". With a Bible sign. Only little circumcised, hardly spotted and broad-edge specimen.