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Medieval robots? They were just one of this Muslim inventor's creations
From water pumps to musical automatons, Ismail al-Jazari's extraordinary machines ranged from practical to playful, delighting farmers and kings alike.
A miniature from al-Jazari’s Book of Knowledge depicts a water-powered flautist automation that he described as a playful “alarm clock,” designed to deliver a gentle tone to wake someone from a nap. Topkapi Sarayi Museum, Istanbul.
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