An illustration of a mechanical peacock basin designed for ceremonial hand washing, from a 1315 Syrian manuscript, a copy of the work "The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices" by Ibn al-Razzāz al-Jazarī, which was written in 1206. Al-Jazarī's book has been preserved in 15 different manuscript copies, created between the 13th and 19th centuries. Al-Jazarī, an engineer from upper Mesopotamia, created a remarkable collection of automated machines while serving King Nasrī al-Dīn. These machines included clocks, clever drinking vessels, apparatus for washing, fountains, water-raising devices, and measuring instruments. (Source: Cleveland Museum of Art)