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เนื้อหาย่อ : Preservation of information, especially technical data, is essential for continued progress of any discipline of technology. Without the knowledge of basic elements, esgineers, designers, craftsmen, and technicians are handicapped. In some cases, they would literally have to "reinvent the wheel"; thus wasting valuable time, resources and rgy that could and should be spent on developing new designs. We are told by respected archacological experts that the pyramids of ancient Egypt and prehistoric South America were built without the use of pulleys and gears; both indis- pensable mechanical components since early Greek and Roman times. However, these magnificent structures were constructed, but apparently no recorded information exists dscribing their construction methods or erection tools they employed. Perhaps some eknown component, device, or mechanism was used by those ancient builders that semains unknown even to this day. Basic or standard designs are invaluable and often stimulate the creative process, which can lead to new components and mechanisms. But if they are not properly recorded and mzilable for future review, those ideas can easily become lost. Fortunately, modern engi- srering literature has faithfully published handbooks, manuals and codes describing most sandard designs. However, innovative devices and unusual component applications often sscape a permanent place in technical literature. A classic example of this is the two-page astrated design files featured in Product Engineering magazine. This bi-weekly publica- son, over the decades, contained thousands of innovative mechanical designs and appli- cations. Unfortunately, this magazine ceased publication in the early 1970s, but some of de original articles were reprinted in Greenwood's books in the late 1950s and 1960s. Chironis' Mechanisms & Mechanical Devices Sourcebook and the recently published book entitled, Illustrated Sourcebook of Mechanical Components, the latter of which I bad the honor to serve as Editor-in-Chief, also contained many selections from Product Engineering. Other technical magazines periodically include novel mechanical designs, as do various technical reports from professional societies. Too many of these articles and heir innovative designs fade into obscurity. With the foregoing discussion in mind, it was proposed to produce a practical source- book of selected innovative material that machine designers could use as a reference. Therefore, this sourcebook is a modified and condensed version of the massive Ilustrated Sourcebook of Mechanical Components with the emphasis on machine devices and smusual applications of components. Significant data was culled from that book and earranged to fit into a new format. Additional material was obtained from other sources and blended into the manuscript to round out the presentation.