Having just watched The Name of the Rose again, it occurred to me that mechanisms for hidden doors (move a specific book in a library, twist a certain torch holder to the left, press the eye sockets of a skull to open a heavy door, flip around a wall or move a stone altar) are pretty much a staple in popular culture. Has there ever been a real implementation? Operating a lock with is one thing, but moving around a heavy piece of masonry with such a minuscule force is probably a bit unrealistic. Even if you do something clever with springs and counterweights, the mechanism has to work effortlessly in reverse as well, which would be tricky. Come to think of it, if there is a conveniently located spring (as in source of water), one might fashion something with waterwheels and basins. So, are there any examples of such mechanisms?
- posted
13 years ago