Model of piledriving machine driven by paddle wheel

Model pile-driver, 1754. Dr. Stephen Demainbray (1710-1782), a lecturer on experimental philosophy, was given this model by the Marquis de Grollier when he was in Lyons, France in 1754. The model is made of oak and consists of a platform supporting a tower with a water wheel on one side. There appears to have been no function for the small windlass under the tower. A swiftly running stream was necessary and so tidal rivers would have been inadequate. It is a very simple device which probably delivered little power.