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FAMOUS ITALIANS 1500-1900: Giovanni Branca [Inventor]

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jtmancuso_3027407

Subject Science — Engineering, Technology, and Application of Science • Social Studies — US History, World History

Grade Level Grades 8-12, Adult Education

Resource Type Lesson Plan, Presentation

Attributes

Good for Parents

License

Attribution Non-commercial NoDerivative

CC (BY-NC-ND)

About This Lesson

Overview

Based on the book Famous Italians You Probably Never Heard Of by Peter V. Tafuri.

The history of Italy follows many paths, and the efforts of its people have greatly contributed to all aspects of a civilized world: art, aviation, business, cuisine, education, government, health, humanitarianism, literature, music, science, and technology. Many are well-known. This lesson plan highlights one who is not as legendary, but has changed the course of history.

Objectives

Students will learn about Giovanni Branca and his contributions to the development of the steam engine and architecture.

Students will learn about some of the social and economic issues during the time period of Branca’s life.

Students will learn about steam engines and how they advanced the Industrial Revolution.

Students will learn how the Industrial Revolution brought changes to Agriculture, Manufacturing, The Economy, and Society.

For group activities:

The same topic can be assigned to different groups. Discuss the similarities and differences in the groups’ responses.

Giovanni Branca; 1571-1645 [Inventor]

SLIDE 2: Achievement: Established the link between the early models of steam engines to the machinery used during the Industrial Revolution. [Portrait]

SLIDE 3: Giovanni Branca was born in the region of Marche, located in central Italy and bordered on the east coast by the Adriatic Sea. [Map]

Option: Discuss the Marche region. (Resources not provided.)

SLIDE 4: Branca worked as an engineer and architect, supervising restoration and construction. [Diagram]

LESSON: Divide students into small groups. Have each group list at least three types of activities for an engineer or architect.

SLIDE 5: Basing his designs on earlier models, he developed the plans for a device that directed steam at a wheel propelling the wheel to move machinery. [Paddle Wheel]

LESSON: Have students discuss how the paddle wheel would work.

SLIDE 6: Branca’s invention advanced the technology of Hero of Alexandria-who, in 100 BC, created an Aeolipile – a tank of boiling water that used steam to rotate a globe – and Leonardo da Vinci, who sketched Chimney Jack (c.1500) showing heated water rising and moving a wheel. [Aeolipile & Chimney Jack]

LESSON: Discuss the differences between the Aeolipile and Chimney Jack and how each could be used.

SLIDE 7: In 1629, Branca’s book Le Machine was published, illustrating 63 mechanical configurations that could be used for practical purposes. His book was used as a reference by future inventors. [Book Cover1]

SLIDE 8: Two illustrations from Le Machine

Images from the book Le Machine p.1629

LESSON: Discuss how Branca’s book would be useful for future inventors.

SLIDE 9: What is a steam engine?

What is the purpose of a steam engine?

How would Branca’s machines be used?

LESSON: Have students participate in answering questions.

SLIDE 10: Question from the Author: How many pairs of socks do you own?

What is the process for making socks?

How did the steam engine make producing socks more efficient?

LESSON: Have students participate in answering questions.

SLIDE 11: Industrial Revolution

Started in England in the mid-18th century.

Began in the United States by the end of the 18th century. [River Scene, Smokestacks]

SLIDE 12: How did the Industrial Revolution bring changes to:

Agriculture

Manufacturing

The Economy

Society

LESSON: Divide students into small groups. Assign one topic to each group, asking for at least three changes.

SLIDE 13: In 1629, Branca’s book, Manuale d’Architettura, was also published.

SLIDE 14: The handbook was “full of easy to follow advice, pointers, directions, techniques, and ... was also one of the first works to scientifically study rivers, and explained why the lagoons of Venice were undergoing sedimentation.” [Venice]

SLIDE 15: Illustration from book

LESSON: Discuss the advantages for having a book on architecture.

SLIDE 16: Although Branca’s early contributions are not as well known as others, his work and publications represent his involvement in the history of engineering and architecture. [Portrait]

LESSON: For each student, ask what they have learned form this lesson. (Verbal or written replies.)

SLIDE 17: RESOURCES

Famous Italians You Probably Never Heard Of by Peter V. Tafuri

Article available online: https://italoamericano.org/giovanni-branca/

https://biographs.org/giovanni-branca

https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts…

https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/literature-and-writing/giovanni…

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/inventions/5-industrial-re…

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/industrial-revolution…

https://www.thoughtco.com/guide-to-the-industrial-revolution-1221914

https://www.historyhit.com/what-was-the-industrial-revolution/