Have you ever wondered why levers and pulleys make it easy to lift heavy objects' Or thought about what it is that makes a combustion engine work'The Book of Basic Machines will give you the information you need to understand key concepts, techniques, components, and much more. Designed and prepared by the Naval Education and Training Program Development Center for naval training, and taught widely in technical school across the country, the manual covers the theory and application of many of the most important mechanical ideas. Concepts build effortlessly from one chapter to the next. Clear explanations, illuminating examples, and over 200 skillfully rendered diagrams, cross-sections, and illustrations make it remarkably easy for readers of any level to understand the fascinating inner-workings of basic machines. The Book of Basic Machines is an invaluable resource for mechanical engineering students looking to learn the basics, working engineers wanting to brush up on some theory, or hobbyists who simply want to know how things work. Simply put, this book is required reading for anyone interested in machines. From the basics of simple levers to the principles of the internal combustion engine, The Book of Basic Machines covers every aspect of basic machinery.