History
The Chinese chain and washer pump of over one thousand years
ago can be considered as the precursor of the present technology.
During the seventies and eighties, several intentions were made
toward the introduction of the so called rope and washer pump
through development projects in many countries. This rope and
washer pump is described in literature as an appropriate
technology pump for low depths and not very efficient or durable.
Some of this inheritance still chases the present technology.
In Nicaragua in the eighties the first steps were made towards
the improvement of the rope pump. PVC pipes and the technology
to inject plastics in molds became available. These were the
preconditions to get to the present technology.
The rope pump technology is in the public domain and there are
no patents pending on it.
16th Century illustration by Rudolf Bauer in "De re metallica
de Agricola"
Published in: Science in history, J.D. Bernal
Next page: Chain and washer pump South of France start Twentieth Century.
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