Nowadays we rely on hydraulics for many things. Construction, agriculture and engineering all depend on hydraulic equipment, like this hydraulic power pack https://www.hydraproducts.co.uk/, to operate successfully. So where did the use of hydraulic power come from, and how has it evolved over the years?
Ancient Beginnings
People have harnessed the power of water for thousands of years, but it is uncertain where this began. The ancient Egyptians used water in irrigation systems, and the word hydraulics comes from ancient Greek.
The Romans
Water engineering most likely arrived in Britain with the Romans, who built aqueducts, bath houses and drainage systems here. The Romans were known for being ahead of their time and also built underfloor heating systems.
Pascal and the Scientific Revolution
In the 17th century, scientists including Blaise Pascal worked on the principles of fluids under pressure. Pascal’s law is still at the heart of hydraulics today, and in 1795 Joseph Bramah patented the hydraulic press.
William Armstrong and the Industrial Revolution
William George Armstrong is often credited as one of the fathers of modern hydraulics. In the 19th century, his ideas and inventions, such as hydraulic cranes, proved enormously useful as the industrial revolution roared to life in Britain. Powering machinery in factories and docks, hydraulic power changed the landscape of Britain and the way that work was done.