This book investigates the historical evolution of hydrodynamics, tracing its development from eighteenth-century theoretical foundations to its twentieth-century applications in hydraulics and aeronautics. Olivier Darrigol, a historian of science, utilizes primary source documents and technical analysis to map the transition of fluid mechanics into a cornerstone of mathematical physics. The work argues that the field emerged through a complex interplay between abstract mathematical modeling and the practical demands of engineering challenges in fields such as meteorology and navigation.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational reference for the history of fluid mechanics due to its technical rigor and depth of research. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is tailored for historians, scientists, and engineers interested in the evolution of physical sciences.