Original: Morton , p. 70 The mechanical engineer Ma Jun ( c. 200 -- 265 ) from Cao Wei once used a waterwheel to power and operate a large mechanical puppet theater for the Emperor Ming of Wei ( r. 226-239 ) .
Simplified: The mechanical engineer Ma Jun ( 200 -- 265 ) once used a waterwheel to power and operate a large mechanical puppet theater for Emperor Ming of Wei .