Page 34 - Singiresu S. Rao-Mechanical Vibrations in SI Units, Global Edition-Pearson (2017)

1.2 brieF history oF the study oF Vibration 31
a presentation of the concept of harmonic analysis, which can be used for the analysis of
general periodic motions. No attempt at exhaustive treatment of the topics is made in this
chapter; subsequent chapters will develop many of the ideas in more detail.

1.2 brief history of the study of Vibration
1.2.1 People became interested in vibration when they created the first musical instruments,
origins of probably whistles or drums. Since then, both musicians and philosophers have sought
the study of out the rules and laws of sound production, used them in improving musical instru-
ments, and passed them on from generation to generation. As long ago as 4000 b.c.
Vibration [1.1], music had become highly developed and was much appreciated by Chinese,
Hindus, Japanese, and, perhaps, the Egyptians. These early peoples observed certain
definite rules in connection with the art of music, although their knowledge did not
reach the level of a science.
Stringed musical instruments probably originated with the hunter’s bow, a weapon
favored by the armies of ancient Egypt. One of the most primitive stringed instruments,
the nanga, resembled a harp with three or four strings, each yielding only one note. An
example dating back to 1500 b.c. can be seen in the British Museum. The Museum also
exhibits an 11-stringed harp with a gold-decorated, bull-headed sounding box, found at
Ur in a royal tomb dating from about 2600 b.c. As early as 3000 b.c., stringed instruments
such as harps were depicted on walls of Egyptian tombs.
Our present system of music is based on ancient Greek civilization. The Greek phi-
losopher and mathematician Pythagoras (582–507 b.c.) is considered to be the first per-
son to investigate musical sounds on a scientific basis (Fig. 1.1). Among other things,
Pythagoras conducted experiments on a vibrating string by using a simple apparatus called

FiGure 1.1 Pythagoras. (Tupungato/Fotolia)