Mary Swift, Natural Philosophy, wedge

Resource added
A spread from the chapter on the wedge, from First Lessons on Natural Philosophy for Children: Part Second by American author Mary Swift, published by Belnap and Hamersley in 1837. Held at the George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, 15h3332. The entire 1851 edition with the same images is available to view or download through the Digital Collections of the George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida. https://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00031637/00001/flipbook/55 note: This url for the download should link from the last sentences of the caption, since it is to the 1851 edition, which is different from the 1837 provided with the images.

Full description

“Lesson Eighth” introduces the wedge, another simple machine, through a dialogue about familiar objects, such as a knife and a wedge. An illustration shows a man chopping a large tree apart using a sledge hammer and wedge. Referencing difficult physical labor made lighter by simple machines is a common tactic for teaching mechanics to young children. Across her lessons, Swift moves between examples of physical labor and children’s play.

  • type
    Image
  • created on
  • file format
    jpg
  • file size
    458 KB
  • container title
    Mary A. Swift, First Lessons on Natural Philosophy for Children: Part Second (Hartford: Belknap and Hamersley, 1837).
  • credit
    Courtesy of the Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida
  • rights
    Public Domain