Gongshu Pan (Kungshu Phan)

SUBJECT AREA: Mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic engineering

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b. c.470 BC China

d. c.380 BC China

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Chinese inventor of rampart-scaling ladders and flying automata.

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Some traditions give Gongshu Pan's birth date as c.570 BC. Much of what is said of him is legendary, but this must derive from a hard core of fact. He was a noted artisan and engineer to the state of Lu. The invention of rampart-scaling ladders (used in siege operations) and of flying automata is attributed to him. He also devised a hook fender to grapple ships in combat. Yun Shi is traditionally regarded as Gongshu's wife and is credited with the invention of the collapsible umbrella. Gongshu is also credited with the invention of the kite (see vols. IV. 1, p. 143, IV.3, p. 576 in the reference below).

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Further Reading

J.Needham, Science and Civilisation in China, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1965, 1971, vols. IV. 2, pp. 43, 44, 96, 189, 192, 313, 573 ff., 577; IV. 3, pp. 681–2.

LRD