The International Symposium on the History of Machines and Mechanisms is the main activity of the Permanent Commission (PC) for the History of Mechanism and Machine Science (HMM) of the International Federation for the Promotion of Mechanism and Machine Science (IFToMM).

History of Dynamics of Machines and Mechanisms from Leonardo to Timoshenko.- On the Historical Overview of Geometric Algebra for Kinematics of Mechanisms.- Some Origins of TMM Arisen from Pseudo-Aristotle and Hero of Alexandria.- Kurt Hain - An Outstanding Personality in the Field of Applied Kinematics and the Accessibility to his Scientific Work.- The Development of Machine Design as a Science from Classical Times to Modern Era.- The Evolution and Development of Mechanical Engineering Through Large Cultural Areas.- A Brief Account on Roman Machines and Cultural Frames.- Devices for Distance and Time Measurement at the Time of Roman Empire.- The Twenty-One Books of Devices and Machines: An Encyclopedia of Machines and Mechanisms of the 16th Century.- A Contribution to the History of Cam Mechanisms – From Leonardo da Vinci Till Today.- Steam Locomotives in the History of Technology of Mexico.- The First Steam Machine in Cuba: Little-Known Pages of Agustin de Betancourt’s Work and Life.- A Historical Overview of Japanese Clocks and Karakuri.- An Introduction to the Spinning and Weaving Devices and Tools of the Miao Ethnic Group in the Northeast of Yunnan Province.- Ancient Chinese Windmills.- An Interpretation of a Shui Lun Fu ??? (Rhapsody on Waterwheel)*.- “Lei Si Jing”(???) and the Curve-Beam Plough of the Tang Dynasty of China.- Crank-Connecting Rod Mechanism: Its Applications in Ancient China and Its Origin.- The Development of Knowledge on Levers in Ancient China.- Phases in the Unraveling of the Secrets of the Gear System of the Antikythera Mechanism.- An Investigation and Reconstruction of Traditional Vertical-Axle-Styled “Chinese Great Windmill” and Its Square-Pallet Chain-Pump.- On the Mechanism Analysis of the Vertical Shaft TypeWind-Power Chinese Square-Pallet Chain-Pump.- An Approach for the Reconstruction Synthesis of Lost Ancient Chinese Mechanisms.- Robotics for Minimally Invasive Surgery: A Historical Review from the Perspective of Kinematics.- Multiple Bolts as Security Devices.- Technology Transfer of Educational Machine Mechanism Models.

The HMM 2008 International Symposium on History of Machines and Mechanisms is the third event of a series started in 2000 as the main activity of the IFToMM Permanent commission for History of MMS (Mechanism and Machine Science).The aim of History of Machines and Mechanisms conferences is to establish an international forum for presenting and discussing historical developments in the field of Mechanism and Machine Science (MMS). The subject area covers all aspects of the development of HMM, such as machines, mechanisms, kinematics, design methods, etc., that are related to people, events, objects, indeed, anything that assisted in the development of the HMM, and is presented in the form of reasoning and arguments, demonstration and identification, and description and evaluation.The HMM 2008 Proceedings contain 26 papers by authors from all over the world. The topics include historical development on mechanism and machine theory, historical figures and their works, history of mechanical engineering, ancient machines and mechanisms, reconstruction design of ancient devices, mechanism and machine design, and engineering education. This book is of interest to researchers, graduate students and engineers specializing or promoting the history of science and technology, in particular on mechanism and machine science. This book will provide the readers with extensive background information on the origin and the history of the invention of fundamental machines and mechanisms, and will undoubtedly provide further understanding and motivation for their own research and/or consultancy work.Indexed in Conference Proceedings Citation Index- Science (CPCI-S)

From the reviews:“International Symposium on History of Machines and Mechanisms 2008 took place from November 11-14 at the National Cheng Kung University … . Chinese and Japanese scientists introducing the results of their research in English, makes a great deal of detailed knowledge … to the western reader for the first time. … is valuable for all students of Asian history willing to broaden their horizons, and … for any other reader to get detailed insights into the world of the history of technology in East Asia.” (Alexander Jost, East Asian Science, Technology, and Medicine, Issue 33, 2011)