Explore the Museum › Technology
The Technology cluster showcases many of the amazing technological advances made by Muslim scholars and engineers. Working replicas of the giant Elephant Water Clock and Castle Clock of the famous Muslim engineer, al- Jazari, are displayed in this cluster. The exhibit has examples of innovative water-raising machines and ingenious mechanical devices.
Animated scale models of an ancient Wind Mill and Wind Tower demonstrate pioneering methods of harnessing the power of nature. A range of interactive exhibits and displays on trade, trade routes, commodities, currencies and economics trace the origins of industry in the Islamic world.
Elephant Water Clock
The Elephant Water Clock is an iconic example of one of al-Jazari’s pieces of fine technology. In addition to telling the time, it celebrates the universality of Islam by incorporating elements from Spain, Phoenicia, Egypt, Iraq, India and China.
Castle Clock
The Castle Clock is another example of one of al-Jazari’s famous Water Clocks. In this Clock, a ball drops from the falcons’ beaks into the vases, small doors open and close, a moon moves across the face of the Clock, and the musicians play their instruments every hour. The mechanism can be seen on the back of the Clock.
Expressions of an Advanced Industrial Society
This large cabinet displays materials that were traded and products that were produced by early Muslim technologists, including carpets, ceramics, tiles, geometric designs, pearls, perfumes, henna, wooden printing blocks, oil lamps and coffee kettles.
Pinhole Camera
Ibn al-Haitham is widely regarded as the Father of Optics. Based on his study of the human eye, he created the first Pinhole Camera, which demonstrated that light travels in straight lines.
Robotic Man
One of the many robots or automatons that al-Jazari made for the Kings of Diyarbakr was the ‘Robotic Man’. This robot, which is modeled on a 12-year old boy, provides water, a towel and a comb for the King during his ablutions.
Water-raising devices
This dynamic scale model display depicts five famous water-raising devices made by Muslim engineers. These devices include al-Jazari’s Reciprocating Pump, One-Scoop Pump, Chain-of-Pots and Four-Scoop Pump, and Taqi al-Din’s Six-Cylinder Pump.
Water Engineering
Most Muslim people lived in arid lands where the use and control of water was essential to their survival. This video reviews the many significant advances that they made in water engineering.
Combination Lock and Four-Bolt Lock
In addition to his iconic water clocks, al-Jazari made many, small useful devices for the Kings of Diyarbakr. This display shows his Combination Lock and Four-Bolt Door Lock.
Balance-Clepsydra
The Balance-Clepsydra looks like a weighing machine but is used to measure the passage of time.
Taqi al-Din's Steam Turbine
Taqi al-Din’s Steam Turbine is an advanced version of a turbine first made by Hero of Alexandria.
Inventions and Discoveries in Islam
In this interactive touch screen display a wide variety of inventions and discoveries made by Muslim scholars is reviewed
Early Aviators
This video showcases some of the important contributions to the development of aviation made by early Muslim aviators.
Wind Mill display
This large scale model shows how a vertical-vane wind mill was used to grind corn.
Wind Tower display
This large scale model shows how natural forces (the wind and cool water) were used to cool a building before modern air conditioners were invented.
Roots of Technology
Inventions and discoveries by Muslim scholars are presented in this display along a chronological time line.