{"title":"Books","description":"\u003cp\u003eBrowse all books from Automation History — explore the full story of automation from ancient origins to the modern era.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-history-of-automation","title":"The History of Automation Book 1","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe History of Automation\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiscover the remarkable history of automation—from the first machines of the ancient world to industrial robotics, artificial intelligence, and the automated systems transforming our future.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe History of Automation\u003c\/em\u003e explores thousands of years of \u003cstrong\u003eengineering history, technological innovation, manufacturing, robotics, and artificial intelligence\u003c\/strong\u003e, revealing how humanity learned to build machines and systems capable of reducing physical labor, increasing productivity, and changing civilization.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLong before computers, programmable logic controllers, or industrial robots, ancient civilizations were developing technologies that contained the foundations of modern automation. From the \u003cstrong\u003eirrigation systems of ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt\u003c\/strong\u003e to Greek mechanical inventions and massive Roman engineering projects, people were already discovering ways to harness water, mechanical power, and repeatable processes to accomplish work more efficiently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollow the evolution of automation through the ingenious machines of \u003cstrong\u003eHero of Alexandria\u003c\/strong\u003e, medieval mechanical systems, water and wind power, the \u003cstrong\u003eIndustrial Revolution\u003c\/strong\u003e, steam engines, mechanized factories, interchangeable manufacturing, and the assembly line. Then enter the modern era as electricity, computers, \u003cstrong\u003ePLCs, industrial control systems, factory automation, and robotics\u003c\/strong\u003e transformed manufacturing and created increasingly sophisticated automated systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe journey continues into today's rapidly changing world of \u003cstrong\u003ewarehouse automation, autonomous robots, machine learning, predictive technology, artificial intelligence, and humanoid robotics\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore than a timeline of inventions, \u003cem\u003eThe History of Automation\u003c\/em\u003e connects the technologies of the past with the systems shaping modern industry. Readers will see how ancient mechanical principles evolved into modern \u003cstrong\u003erobotics and automation\u003c\/strong\u003e, how early control mechanisms foreshadowed industrial control systems, and how centuries of innovation eventually led to machines capable of sensing, calculating, adapting, and making decisions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten for readers interested in \u003cstrong\u003etechnology history, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, manufacturing, robotics, AI, automation technology, and the history of invention\u003c\/strong\u003e, this book offers an accessible introduction to one of the most important technological stories in human history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eInside the Book\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAncient Irrigation and the Origins of Automation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMesopotamian and Egyptian Engineering\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHero of Alexandria and Early Automated Machines\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGreek and Roman Engineering\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedieval Machines and Mechanical Systems\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Industrial Revolution and Steam Power\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFactory Automation and Mass Production\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssembly Lines and Modern Manufacturing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePLCs and Industrial Control Systems\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIndustrial Robotics and Automated Manufacturing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWarehouse Automation and Autonomous Systems\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtificial Intelligence and Machine Learning\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHumanoid Robots and the Future of Automation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom \u003cstrong\u003eancient machines to artificial intelligence\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe History of Automation\u003c\/em\u003e tells the story of humanity's continuing effort to make machines do more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEvery robot, automated factory, and AI-powered system operating today has a history—and that history began thousands of years ago.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Automation History","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56529203855526,"sku":null,"price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0746\/5431\/8758\/files\/Book1.png?v=1788114612"},{"product_id":"digital-product-agriculture","title":"Automation History Illustrated Timeline Collection – Volume 1: Origins of Civilization (10,000 BCE–500 BCE)","description":"\u003ch1\u003eAutomation History Illustrated Timeline Collection — Volume 1\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOrigins of Civilization: 10,000 BCE–500 BCE\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDiscover Where Automation Truly Began\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen most people think of \u003cstrong\u003eautomation technology\u003c\/strong\u003e, they picture industrial robots, artificial intelligence, computerized factories, or autonomous machines. But the history of automation began thousands of years before electricity, computers, or the Industrial Revolution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAutomation History Illustrated Timeline Collection – Volume 1: Origins of Civilization (10,000 BCE–500 BCE)\u003c\/em\u003e explores the earliest foundations of \u003cstrong\u003eautomation, engineering, agriculture, manufacturing, and systems thinking\u003c\/strong\u003e through an engaging combination of historical research, illustrations, timelines, and modern technological connections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeginning with the \u003cstrong\u003eAgricultural Revolution and early human civilization\u003c\/strong\u003e, this illustrated history follows humanity's transition from hunter-gatherer communities to organized agricultural societies capable of managing crops, water, resources, labor, and increasingly complex production systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscover how \u003cstrong\u003eancient agriculture, irrigation systems, early tools, resource management, and organized labor\u003c\/strong\u003e introduced principles that would eventually become fundamental to modern \u003cstrong\u003eindustrial automation, manufacturing, robotics, process engineering, and artificial intelligence\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than simply presenting historical facts, this volume follows the \u003cstrong\u003eevolution of technology and engineering\u003c\/strong\u003e, showing how one innovation created the foundation for the next.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore the early origins of concepts still central to modern automation, including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRepeatable Production Systems\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStandardized Workflows\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResource and Material Management\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProcess Optimization\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContinuous Improvement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSystems Thinking\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLabor-Saving Technology\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAgricultural Engineering\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIrrigation and Water Management\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEarly Mechanical Innovation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery section combines \u003cstrong\u003eancient history with engineering insight\u003c\/strong\u003e, helping readers understand not only what early civilizations invented, but why those innovations remain important to the technological world today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eInside This Illustrated History\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExpanded Historical Explanations\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrated Technology Timelines\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAncient Engineering and Inventions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEngineering-Focused Interpretations\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Path to Modern Automation Visual Diagrams\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts and Did You Know? Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScholarly References for Further Research\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConnections Between Ancient Technology and Modern Automation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAgricultural Revolution and Early Civilization\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigins of Systems Thinking and Process Engineering\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDesigned for Curious Minds\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis illustrated collection is ideal for \u003cstrong\u003ehistory enthusiasts, engineers, manufacturing professionals, robotics enthusiasts, technology lovers, teachers, students, homeschool families, STEM education, museum enthusiasts, and lifelong learners\u003c\/strong\u003e interested in understanding how technology developed across human history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're fascinated by \u003cstrong\u003eancient civilizations, engineering history, inventions, automation, robotics, manufacturing, archaeology, STEM, or artificial intelligence\u003c\/strong\u003e, this volume provides an accessible visual journey into the technologies and systems that helped civilization develop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Series\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAutomation History Illustrated Timeline Collection\u003c\/em\u003e is a comprehensive educational series tracing the \u003cstrong\u003ehistory of automation and technological innovation\u003c\/strong\u003e from humanity's earliest organized societies to the Industrial Revolution, modern manufacturing, robotics, artificial intelligence, and the automated future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach volume builds upon the previous era, creating a connected timeline of the inventions, machines, engineers, and ideas that transformed human civilization.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBefore robotics came machines. Before machines came systems. And before modern automation came thousands of years of human innovation.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBegin the journey with Volume 1: Origins of Civilization.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Automation History","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56897461846182,"sku":null,"price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0746\/5431\/8758\/files\/Volume1Cover_11cdf19e-299a-4594-aefb-c18b3efc2e68.png?v=1785724266"},{"product_id":"ancient-automation-book-2","title":"Ancient Automation Book 2","description":"\u003ch1\u003eAncient Automation: The First Machines of Civilization — Book 2\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiscover the forgotten history of ancient automation and the ingenious machines that laid the foundation for modern engineering, robotics, and automated technology.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLong before computers, electricity, industrial robots, or modern factories, ancient civilizations were already creating machines and engineered systems capable of \u003cstrong\u003emeasuring time, controlling water, regulating motion, calculating astronomical events, and performing repetitive work\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAncient Automation: The First Machines of Civilization\u003c\/em\u003e, Book 2 of \u003cem\u003eThe History of Automation Series\u003c\/em\u003e, explores the fascinating \u003cstrong\u003ehistory of ancient technology, mechanical engineering, automata, and early automation\u003c\/strong\u003e across some of the world's greatest civilizations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJourney through \u003cstrong\u003eAncient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and China\u003c\/strong\u003e to discover how early engineers transformed simple mechanical principles into increasingly sophisticated machines. Explore irrigation and water-control systems, ancient clocks, gears, mechanical devices, water-powered machinery, and ingenious mechanisms that introduced concepts still found in modern automation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeet pioneering inventors and engineers such as \u003cstrong\u003ePhilon of Byzantium and Hero of Alexandria\u003c\/strong\u003e, whose experiments with mechanics, hydraulics, pneumatics, and automatic devices demonstrated that machines could be designed to respond to physical conditions and perform predetermined actions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore the extraordinary \u003cstrong\u003eAntikythera Mechanism\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the most sophisticated mechanical devices to survive from the ancient world. Its intricate system of gears demonstrates an astonishing understanding of \u003cstrong\u003emechanical calculation, astronomy, precision engineering, and geared mechanisms\u003c\/strong\u003e centuries before the development of modern computers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders will also discover the evolution of \u003cstrong\u003ewater power, ancient irrigation, mechanical control systems, automata, gears, pumps, clocks, and labor-saving machines\u003c\/strong\u003e that helped civilizations increase productivity and develop new approaches to engineering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore than a collection of ancient inventions, this book connects the principles behind these machines with \u003cstrong\u003emodern industrial automation, robotics, control systems, mechanical engineering, and automated manufacturing\u003c\/strong\u003e. The fundamental ideas of power transmission, feedback, mechanical control, programmed motion, and repetitive operation have histories stretching back thousands of years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten for readers interested in \u003cstrong\u003eancient history, engineering history, mechanical engineering, automation technology, robotics, inventions, archaeology, science and technology, and the history of machines\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cem\u003eAncient Automation\u003c\/em\u003e reveals an often-overlooked chapter in humanity's technological development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eInside the Book\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAncient Mesopotamian Engineering and Irrigation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAncient Egyptian Technology and Water Control\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGreek Mechanical Engineering and Early Machines\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePhilon of Byzantium and Pneumatic Devices\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHero of Alexandria and Ancient Automata\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Antikythera Mechanism and Mechanical Computing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoman Engineering and Water-Powered Technology\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAncient Chinese Engineering and Mechanical Innovation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGears, Pumps, Water Clocks, and Mechanical Control\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHydraulics and Pneumatics in the Ancient World\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAutomata and Self-Operating Machines\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAncient Technology's Connection to Modern Automation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom irrigation systems and water clocks to geared calculators and ancient automata, \u003cem\u003eAncient Automation: The First Machines of Civilization\u003c\/em\u003e uncovers the remarkable story of humanity's earliest attempts to make machines perform work on their own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe automated world did not begin with the computer. Its story began thousands of years earlier.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Automation History","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57130117365926,"sku":null,"price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0746\/5431\/8758\/files\/Book2.png?v=1788114563"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0746\/5431\/8758\/collections\/IMG-2784.png?v=1788818864","url":"https:\/\/automationhistory.com\/collections\/books.oembed","provider":"Automation History","version":"1.0","type":"link"}