The Ottoman Empire was one of the most advanced civilizations of its time, not only with its military power but also with its technological innovations throughout its six-century history. Many technological devices that are forgotten today were an indispensable part of daily life in Ottoman palaces, madrasahs and cities. These sophisticated devices reveal the advanced level of knowledge and skills of the scientists and craftsmen of the period. So what are they?

Forgotten technological devices of the Ottoman Empire

Astrolabes were the most respected tools of the Ottoman scientific world. These circular devices made of brass or silver were complex calculating machines that projected the sky onto a two-dimensional plane. Produced in the workshop of the famous astronomer Takiyüddin, who lived in Istanbul in the 16th century, astrolabes were the most advanced naval instruments of the time. These devices not only determined the position of celestial bodies, but also calculated prayer times, found the direction of the qibla and even solved mathematical problems.

Ottoman astrolabes had more advanced features than European examples. The multi-layered plate arrangement allowed use at different latitudes. The “Zurkaniye” astrolabe developed by Takiyüddin was the most complex of its time and could perform 16 different mathematical operations. These devices were so valuable that they were sent to European kings as gifts from the sultans.

Clock towers were among the most important technological structures of Ottoman cities. The first large clock tower was built in Topkapi Palace in 1564. The clock mechanism in this tower worked with a weight system and rang a bell once an hour. The Clock Tower in Bursa was built in 1905 during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II and used the most advanced clock technologies in Europe.

One of the most impressive examples of clock towers was in Adana. Built in 1882, this tower not only showed the time, but also had barometric systems that made weather forecasts. The wind direction indicator on the upper floor of the tower provided meteorological information for the city’s merchant ships.

Water clocks were the most elegant examples of Ottoman technology. The water clock in the rooms of the Cevher Ağası in Topkapı Palace was a work of art with its bronze body decorated with gold and silver. These clocks measured time using the regular speed of the water flow. The most sophisticated examples had variable flow systems that could be adjusted for different seasons.

The water clocks produced in the workshops near Hagia Sophia in Istanbul not only measured time, but also played music. The small bells and whistles inside them produced melodies at certain hours. This technology was inherited from Ancient Greece but was much more advanced by Ottoman craftsmen.

There were mechanical figures that moved on their own in Ottoman palaces. These automatons worked with gear systems similar to clock mechanisms. These devices, which impressed palace visitors, showed the mechanical mastery of Ottoman craftsmen. These moving figures were usually designed together with fountains and clocks. The figures that moved at certain times were both part of entertainment and technological spectacle.

Ottoman artillery technique was at the most advanced level of its time. The large-scale cannons called “Şahi Cannon” were the pinnacle of bronze casting technique. The Orban Cannon used in the 1453 siege of Istanbul could fire a 635-kilogram shell. The grooved barrel arrangement of these cannons allowed the shells to find their target more accurately.

A lesser-known but effective technique was the “Flaming Arrow” arrangement. These special arrows would set fire to their targets with the chemical mixture at their tips. This arrangement, consisting of a mixture of eight different chemical substances, could be considered the incendiary weapon technique of the period.

The Ottomans were also ahead of their time in terms of medical instruments. The surgical instruments used in the asylum in Cerrahpaşa surpassed European examples with their steel quality and design suitable for the human body. Tooth-pulling instruments were not only functional but also works of art. Examples of pincers inlaid with silver and gold both reduced pain and kept the patient’s morale high. Some of these instruments contained narcotic substance chambers.

Nautical instruments were considered the pride of Ottoman naval technique. The compass arrangements used in Piri Reis’ maps showed not only magnetic north but also true north. This technique worked with complex mathematical formulas that included magnetic declination calculations.

The ship’s compass, called “Daire-i Muaddel”, was equipped with a suspension system that could remain balanced even in stormy weather. With this device, captains could find the right direction even in rough seas. The 32 directional marks on the compass used the same principle as today’s modern compass systems.

Sea depth measuring instruments were also quite advanced. These instruments, called “Şakul”, not only measured depth, but could also determine the type of soil on the seabed. The special piece of wax at the end of the instrument, sampled from the surface it touched,and provided information to captains about approaching ports.

The systems that met the water needs of Ottoman cities were the most advanced examples of engineering of the period. The network of dams and embankments that brought water to Istanbul was hundreds of kilometers long. The water distribution systems designed by Mimar Sinan used gravity to carry water to every part of the city at equal pressure. The main distribution center in Taksim was a successful example of hydraulic engineering.

The Ottomans also used advanced techniques in optical instruments. The binoculars in the observatory in the Galata Tower were the largest lens systems of the period. The lenses of these binoculars were made of Bursa glass, which was of higher quality than Venetian glass.

These large mirrors were used for both astronomy and military observation. They could reflect sunlight for kilometers with metal surfaces made of a special alloy. Some examples were even used to blind enemy ships with sunlight.

“Sundial” mechanisms were also quite advanced in time measurement techniques and were widely used in Ottoman mosques. The sundial in the courtyard of the Süleymaniye Mosque was an advanced system that could show the time of different cities simultaneously. The star clocks used at night divided time into sections by using the positions of certain stars. The calculations of this system required complex mathematical knowledge.

Advanced systems were established for the transmission of news in the Ottoman geography. Signal towers on the hills sent coded messages with fire and smoke signals. Thanks to this system, news could be delivered quickly to long distances. Protective boxes specially designed for carrier pigeons ensured the birds’ survival during long-distance flights.

The Ottomans were also meticulous about recording this technical heritage. The manuscripts called “Mecmua-ı Tevarih” documented technical inventions with detailed drawings. Thanks to these archives, we can learn how lost techniques worked today.

The most impressive aspect of the Ottoman technical heritage was that these devices were not only functional but also had a beauty value. Each device was designed and produced with an artistic approach. This philosophy stemmed from the belief that technique should not only meet practical needs but also make life more beautiful.