The "International Symposium on History of Machines and Mechanisms" is a significant collection of contributions that emerged from the HMM2004 Symposium, which took place from May 12 to 15, 2004, at the University of Cassino, Italy. This publication is part of a series that was launched in 2000 and is dedicated to the exploration of the history of machines and mechanisms. The aim of the symposium is to promote an exchange of views, opinions, and experiences regarding the technical history of mechanisms and machine sciences. The 29 contributions included come from experts around the world and cover a wide range of topics focusing on the technical development and historical perspective of mechanical engineering. The publication not only provides insights into the past but also highlights future developments in this field.