Handwashing Device with Automated Servants

by Meam Wye on July 9, 2009

In the thirteenth century, muslim polymath Al-Jazari designed a handwashing device featuring humanoid automata as servants that offer soap and towels.

Al-Jazari's full name was Abu al-'Iz Ibn Isma'il ibn al-Razaz al-Jazari (1136 – 1206). He wrote a great book in 1206 titled 'Kitáb fí ma'rifat al-hiyal al-handasiyya' (Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices). In this book he described in detail the construction of fifty mechanical devices that were classified in six categories.

Among Al-Jazari's many inventions, one was a basin with a peacock referred to as 'A peacock which discharges water from its beak'. This is described in detail in his book 'Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices', (in chapter 4, category III -  'Pitchers, basins and other things' ). Mark E. Rosheim in his book 'Robot Evolution' describes this device as follows:

"Pulling a plug on the peacock's tail releases water out of the beak; as the dirty water from the basin fills the hollow base a float rises and actuates a linkage which makes a servant figure appear from behind a door under the peacock and offer soap. When more water is used, a second float at a higher level trips and causes the appearance of a second servant figure — with a towel! Opening the base valve causes both figures to return to their room and the doors automatically close as the water level drops."

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