Vannoccio Biringuccio

Who was Vannoccio Biringuccio?

Vannoccio Biringuccio, sometimes spelt Vannocio Biringuccio, was an Italian metallurgist. He is best known for his manual on metalworking, De la pirotechnia, published posthumously in 1540. Biringuccio is considered by some as the father of the foundry industry as De la pirotechnia is the first printed account of proper foundry practice. It also gives details of mining practice, the extraction and refining of numerous metals, alloys such as brass, and compounds used in foundries and explosives. It preceded the printing of De re metallica by Georgius Agricola by 14 years.

A member of Fraternita di Santa Barbara guild, before his book information on metallurgy and military arts were closely held secrets; his book is credited with starting the tradition of scientific and technical literature.

In his career he was in charge of an iron mine near Siena, and also in charge of its mint and arsenal. He was in charge of casting cannons for Venice and later Florence.