EDINBURGH'S FIRST WATER SUPPLY: THE COMISTON AQUEDUCT, 1675-1721.

The 18th century saw a tremendous advance in the number and effectiveness of hydraulic theories. These advances are clearly seen in the design of 19th century water supply projects, such as the Croton Aqueduct in New York. But earlier failures in hydraulic design showed the need for new theories. This paper recounts the development of the Comiston Aqueduct in Edinburgh as a much discussed design failure that helped to trigger new research into hydraulic design.