Medieval technology could raise marvels of architecture 200 feet in the air, it could conceive the mechanics of a loom capable of weaving patterned cloth, and of a gearshaft capable of harnessing the insubstantial air to turn a heavy millstone, but it failed to conceive the fore-and-aft rig and swinging boom capable of adapting sails to the direction of the wind. By such accident of the human mind, war, trade, and history are shaped.
In "A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century," Barbara W. Tuchman reflects on the impressive feats of medieval technology, which enabled the construction of towering architecture, intricate weaving mechanisms, and innovative devices that harnessed wind for milling. These advancements illustrate the remarkable ingenuity of the period, showcasing mankind's ability to create complex solutions to various challenges.
However, Tuchman also notes a significant limitation in medieval engineering: the absence of effective sailing technology, such as the fore-and-aft rig and swinging boom. This gap in innovation impacted trade, warfare, and historical developments, highlighting how the direction of human progress can be influenced by both achievements and shortcomings in technology.
