Hero of Alexandria

The steam engine, or aeolipile, is a hollow sphere, supported by two pivots, one of which is hollow, and communicates with a boiler. From the sphere issue two bent pipes, whose apertures are opposite to each other. When the water in the boiler is heated, the steam, entering the sphere, rushes out of the bent pipes, and causes the sphere to revolve.

If you wish to make a vessel which shall contain wine, and which shall, when it is full, pour out water, and when it is empty, pour out wine, you must construct it in the following manner.

The principle of the siphon is that water will always seek its own level, and if a tube is bent in such a way that one end is lower than the other, and both ends are immersed in water, the water will flow from the higher to the lower level.

To make a bird whistle by means of water, construct a hollow bronze bird, and place it in a vessel of water. Let a pipe pass through the breast of the bird, and let the end of the pipe be immersed in the water.

The construction of a machine for opening temple doors by fire is as follows: beneath the altar, place a hollow sphere, and let a pipe pass from the sphere to the doors.

To make a fountain which shall flow with wine on one day, and with water on another, construct two vessels, one for wine and one for water, and connect them by means of pipes and valves.

The principle of the hydraulic organ is that air, forced through pipes of different lengths, will produce different musical notes.

To construct a device which shall cause a statue to pour a libation when fire is kindled on an altar, place a vessel of water beneath the altar, and connect it to the statue by means of a pipe.

The construction of a self-filling cup is as follows: within the cup, place a smaller cup, and connect the two by means of a siphon.

To make a trumpet sound by means of water, construct a hollow bronze trumpet, and place it in a vessel of water. Let a pipe pass through the trumpet, and let the end of the pipe be immersed in the water.

The principle of the force pump is that a piston, moving within a cylinder, can draw water up and force it out through a pipe.

To construct a device which shall cause a bird to sing when water is poured into a basin, place a hollow bronze bird in the basin, and connect it to a pipe which is immersed in the water.

The construction of a machine for producing fire by means of water is as follows: place a hollow sphere beneath a vessel of water, and let a pipe pass from the sphere to a wick.

To make a vessel which shall pour out wine when it is full, and water when it is empty, construct two compartments within the vessel, one for wine and one for water, and connect them by means of a siphon.

The principle of the water clock is that water, flowing at a constant rate, can be used to measure time.

To construct a device which shall cause a statue to move its arms when fire is kindled on an altar, place a vessel of water beneath the altar, and connect it to the statue's arms by means of pipes and levers.

The construction of a self-trimming lamp is as follows: within the lamp, place a float, and connect it to the wick by means of a lever.

To make a fountain which shall flow with milk on one day, and with honey on another, construct two vessels, one for milk and one for honey, and connect them by means of pipes and valves.

The principle of the odometer is that a series of gears, connected to a wheel, can be used to measure distance.

To construct a device which shall cause a statue to shed tears when fire is kindled on an altar, place a vessel of water beneath the altar, and connect it to the statue's eyes by means of pipes.