William John Macquorn Rankine

1820–1872 · civil engineer

Topics: simplicity, mathematics

• In this branch of study exactness is an essential feature; and mathematical difficulties must not be shrunk from when the nature of the subject leads to them.

  — William John Macquorn Rankine

• A hypothetical theory is necessary, as a preliminary step, to reduce the expression of the phenomena to simplicity and order before it is possible to make any progress in framing an abstractive theory.

  — William John Macquorn Rankine

• [O]f that scientifically practical skill which produces the greatest effect with the least possible expenditure of material and work, the instances are comparatively rare.

  — William John Macquorn Rankine