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Peaucellier–Lipkin linkage
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<p>The Peaucellier–Lipkin linkage (or Peaucellier–Lipkin cell, or Peaucellier–Lipkin inversor), invented in 1864, was the first true planar <a href="/facts/Straight_line_mechanism/2TRRnzw2">straight line mechanism</a> – the first planar <a href="/facts/Linkage_(mechanical)/mcQPwQdP">linkage</a> capable of transforming <a href="/facts/Rotary_motion/PGcg3IY5">rotary motion</a> into perfect <a href="/facts/Straight-line_motion/Vom0QwWe">straight-line motion</a>, and vice versa. It is named after <a href="/facts/Charles-Nicolas_Peaucellier/g4YYa2Pg">Charles-Nicolas Peaucellier</a> (1832–1913), a French army officer, and <a href="/facts/Yom_Tov_Lipman_Lipkin/1Csl3P8B">Yom Tov Lipman Lipkin</a> (1846–1876), a <a href="/facts/Lithuanian_Jew/r642x1K3">Lithuanian Jew</a> and son of the famed Rabbi <a href="/facts/Israel_Salanter/ycWDyV9z">Israel Salanter</a>. </p><p>Until this invention, no planar method existed of converting exact straight-line motion to circular motion, without reference guideways. In 1864, all power came from <a href="/facts/Steam_engine/f7hN8vzm">steam engines</a>, which had a <a href="/facts/Piston/z7pN46u7">piston</a> moving in a straight-line up and down a cylinder. This piston needed to keep a good seal with the cylinder in order to retain the driving medium, and not lose energy efficiency due to leaks. The piston does this by remaining perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder, retaining its straight-line motion. Converting the straight-line motion of the piston into circular motion was of critical importance. Most, if not all, applications of these steam engines, were rotary. </p><p>The mathematics of the Peaucellier–Lipkin linkage is directly related to the <a href="/facts/Inversive_geometry/VqFmbfDI">inversion</a> of a circle. </p>