Varieties of wonder: John Wilkins' mathematical magic and the perpetuity of invention (Q465162)

The 17th-century English mathematician John Wilkins was one of the founders of the Royal Society. In 1648 he published \textit{Mathematicall Magick, or, The wonders that may be performed by mechanicall geometry.} This work comprises two books, the first of which focuses on the simple machines of lever, pulley, screw, etc. The second book treats more elaborate constructions, actual and speculative, ranging from clocks and ``spheres representing the heavenly motions'' to automata that emulate animals to submarines, flying machines, and even perpetual-motion machines. The present article discusses \textit{Mathematicall Magick,} with particular reference to the ``discourse of wonder'' it contains.