Torquetum
- Date
- c. 1260 · confidence medium
- Place
- Seville, Spain (Jabir ibn Aflah, 12th century) / Paris (Franco of Poland, 1284)
- Credited to
- Jabir ibn Aflah; Franco of Poland
- People
- 👤 Franco de Polonia
- Field
- Knowledge & symbols
⚠️ Disputed: the sources disagree.
What it is
An instrument with articulated discs that converts coordinates directly between the horizontal, equatorial and ecliptic systems by mechanical means. An astronomical analogue computer.
It is attributed alternately to the Andalusi Jabir ibn Aflah (12th century) or to Franco of Poland in Paris (1284).
What it led to
- the observations of Regiomontanus and Apian
- the concept of a multi-coordinate calculating instrument
- a forerunner of Tycho Brahe's observational armillary sphere
Built on
- Armillary spherec. 255 BCE
- Islamic planispheric astrolabec. 900
- Islamic planispheric astrolabe