Design for the Water Clock of the Peacocks 1205

This illustration by the renowned Islamic polymath, Al-Jazari, from 1205, is a design for a water clock featuring a complex mechanism that utilizes a water wheel, a rotating rod, and two peacocks. The peacocks, with their intricately detailed plumage, would have served as a visual indicator of the passage of time, their movements driven by the water clock's inner workings. This design reflects Al-Jazari's expertise in engineering and his interest in integrating mechanics with aesthetic elements, highlighting the ingenuity of medieval Islamic innovation.