Aeolipile: First steam engine

The steam engine was created by an ancient Greek engineer named Heron, commonly referred to as Hero, in the first century A.D. When people could not utilize it very practically, he made it as a toy. Hero of Alexandria was therefore only acknowledged and remembered after his death. However, Vitruvius was the first to describe this appliance in his De architectura (ca. 30-20 BCE).


It had previously been hypothesized that this simple steam engine, known as the aeolipile, existed. Hero eventually dramatized the idea and claimed credit for coming up with it. His device consisted of a tiny sphere with two curved arcs positioned perpendicular to its axis. The arches would release steam as the water within heated owing to a boiler placed beneath, which caused the sphere to begin revolving. He devised a master plan using fire, wind, and a steam engine, among other sources of energy.

Hero was a guy who had created the industrial revolution long before it began to affect humanity. These days, it is used in a wide variety of businesses and mining facilities. You should be grateful to Hero, who is truly a hero, if you are given the opportunity to switch on the lights and connect to an adaptor.

Photo:  Ancient Origins - The ancient invention of the steam engine by the Hero of Alexandria
Photo: Ancient Origins - The ancient invention of the steam engine by the Hero of Alexandria
Photo:  mozaWeb - Hero's aeolipile
Photo: mozaWeb - Hero's aeolipile

Top 9 Greatest Inventions and Discoveries of Ancient Greece

  1. top 1 Olympic games
  2. top 2 Basis of geometry
  3. top 3 Alarm clock
  4. top 4 Cartography
  5. top 5 Earliest practice of medicine
  6. top 6 Astronomy
  7. top 7 Aeolipile: First steam engine
  8. top 8 Crane
  9. top 9 Odometer

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