Ismail al-Jazari was a famous engineer and craftsman who was a master in automata and mechanical inventions. Born in 1136 CE, Al-Jazari would go on to become the chief engineer for the Turkish Artuqid Dynasty.
In his book “A Compendium on the Theory and Useful Practice of the Mechanical Arts”, he describes in detail 50 devices that were of great importance to European engineering. Donald R. Hill, an English historian states “The impact of these inventions can be seen in the later designing of steam engines and internal combustion engines, paving the way for automatic control and other modern machinery.”
Al-Jazari also built a water supply system that was hydro-powered and would provide water to masjids and hospitals in the city of Damascus. It is also said that the works of Al-Jazari were an influence on Leonardo Da Vinci, which further emphasizes the lasting impression Al-Jazari made on future inventors and engineers.