天工开物 Tian Gong Kai Wu
天工开物 Tian Gong Kai Wu, first published in 1637 by Chinese scholar Song Yingxing, is more than just a book, it's an illustrated encyclopedia of everyday tools, techniques, and technological knowledge from pre-modern China. This copy is a 1959 republished edition, which features traditional East Asian string binding, soft cover, vertical text, and folded double-leaf.
Song Yingxing believed humans could work in harmony with nature, using knowledge and skilled craftsmanship to transform raw materials into the essentials of life. This idea is reflected in the book’s original title, which roughly translates to: The Exploitation of the Works of Nature. However, it's more commonly known as: Chinese Technology in the Seventeenth Century.
Across three volumes and eighteen chapters, the book explores everything from agriculture to textile production, metalwork, mining, and more. This is brought to life through 100 detailed illustrations.
If you’ve ever wondered how things worked before the age of electricity and modern machines, Tian Gong Kai Wu is a fascinating place to start.
Call Number: EA 7016 1
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