Du Yu (Tu Yu)

SUBJECT AREA: Civil engineering, Mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic engineering

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b. 222 China

d. 284 China

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Chinese general and engineer.

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Du Yu was one of the generals who reduced the San Guo state of Wu for the Chin in 280. He is credited with the diffusion of the water-powered trip hammer and the multiple-geared watermill for the grinding of cereals. A battery of trip hammers was developed, operated by several shafts working off one large water-wheel. He was responsible for the construction of the Heyang pontoon bridges over the Yellow River north-east of Leyang in 274 and also devised new designs for water-powered blowing engines, against the advice of the imperial advisors but with the emperor's encouragement.

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Further Reading

Joseph Needham, Science and Civilisation in China, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1959–1965, Vols III, p. 601; IV. 1, p. 35, IV. 2, pp. 30, 86, 195, 393, 394, 396; IV. 3, pp. 160–1.

LRD