Theory of Screws

Sir Robert Stawell Ball FRS (1 July 1840 - 25 November 1913) was an Irish astronomerwho founded the screw theory He was the son of naturalist Robert Ball 2] and Amelia Gresley Hellicar. He was born in Dublin. Ball worked for Lord Rosse from 1865 to 1867. In 1867 he became Professor of Applied Mathematics at the Royal College of Science in Dublin. There he lectured on mechanics and published an elementary account of the science. In 1874 Ball was appointed Royal Astronomer of Ireland and Andrews Professor of Astronomy in the University of Dublin at Dunsink Observatory. Ball contributed to the science of kinematics by delineating the screw displacement: When Ball and the screw theorists speak of screws they no longer mean actual cylindrical objects with helical threads cut into them but the possible motion of any body whatsoever, including that of the screw independently of the nut.