Agostino Ramelli

Agostino Ramelli (* 1531 in Ponte Tresa, Italy, † 1600) was an engineer who invented the Bücherrad. This is now seen as a precursor of hypertext.

1588 he published in Paris in the bilingual (Italian and French) Le diverse et artificiose book machine. In it, he described several machines, including the Bücherrad and circular piston-like water pumps, which are considered as precursors of the Wankel engine. He also showed in an amphibious chariot was pulled ashore by horses and moved in the water with two paddle wheels by muscle power.