D'Alembert, Traité de dynamique, Paris, 1743, contemporary marbled calf

ALEMBERT, JEAN D'

Traité de dynamique, dans lequel les loix de l'equilibre & du movement des corps sont réduites au plus petit nombre possible. Paris: David l'aîné, 1743

4to (209 x 152mm.), engraved device on title-page, woodcut initials and headpieces, 4 folding engraved plates, contemporary marbled calf, occasional browning, binding somewhat worn, spine defective

FIRST EDITION of Alembert's first major work, considered "A LANDMARK IN THE HISTORY OF MECHANICS. It reduces the laws of the motion of bodies to a law of equilibrium" (PMM), in which he describes what is now known as d'Alembert's Principle, one of the fundamental laws of motion.

LITERATURE:

Norman 31; PMM 195