LeverLab
The Journal
The Physics of the Screw: From Archimedes to the Modern Bolt
A screw is an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder, which is why a small turning effort can generate enormous clamping force — and why real screw-thread friction is so large that the ideal number is never what your wrench actually feels.
Archimedes and the Machines That Shaped Engineering
Long before 'mechanical advantage' had a name, Archimedes, Heron of Alexandria, Vitruvius, Al-Jazari, Leonardo da Vinci, and Galileo studied levers, pulleys, gears, and ramps closely enough to leave behind ideas engineers still use today.
How to Build a Simple Machines Science Fair Project
A good simple-machines project doesn't need fancy materials — it needs a clear prediction, a way to measure the real result, and an honest comparison between the two. Here's a practical walkthrough, including the measurement mistakes that trip up most first attempts.