In the 15th century , Alfonso Tostada told about the logic of the Ark , including things such as arrangements for the getting rid of dung and the circulation of fresh air . The well-known 16th-century geometrician Johannes Buteo worked out the ship 's internal dimensions . Thus in the 15th century , Alfonso Tostada gave a detailed account of the logistics of the Ark , down to arrangements for the disposal of dung and the circulation of fresh air , and the noted 16th-century geometrician Johannes Buteo calculated the ship 's internal dimensions , allowing room for Noah 's grinding mills and smokeless ovens , a model widely adopted by other commentators .