Tobias MayerTobias Mayer, full name Johann Tobias Mayer, was born on February 17, 1723 in Marbach, Germany. Mayer grew up in Esslingen in poor conditions. There were 6 children in the family, including Tobias. His father was a diligent water engineer. It was his task to build a suitable canal for the supply of drinking water to a small castle near Esslingen. When his father was appointed inspector and foreman, he had to deepen his knowledge in the field of machines and hydraulic technology by visiting neighboring places. He drew the machines he had seen during his trip. Tobias was intrigued by his father's work which had sparked his interest in drawing. Tobias' Father “Driven by a desire to copy his father's work, young Tobias pestered his mother to provide him with a pen, paper and ink and began drawing objects. which were within his own understanding. After noticing Tobias's interest in drawing and learning, his father encouraged him by giving him picture books to copy. Tobias would eventually get tired of drawing the same illustrations over and over again....