Book contents
- The Mechanical Tradition of Hero of Alexandria
- The Mechanical Tradition of Hero of Alexandria
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Acknowledgments
- Chapter 1 Introduction
- Chapter 2 Systems of Explanation
- Chapter 3 Theorizing the World
- Chapter 4 Hero in Context
- Chapter 5 Hero in the Age of Print
- Bibliography
- Index
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 July 2023
- The Mechanical Tradition of Hero of Alexandria
- The Mechanical Tradition of Hero of Alexandria
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Acknowledgments
- Chapter 1 Introduction
- Chapter 2 Systems of Explanation
- Chapter 3 Theorizing the World
- Chapter 4 Hero in Context
- Chapter 5 Hero in the Age of Print
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
This is the story of a mechanical tradition, so let us begin with a machine (Figure 1.1).1 Take a hollow bronze sphere, drilled at two diametrically opposite points to allow the insertion of two L-shaped tubes, carefully soldered to the outside of the sphere so that it remains completely sealed except for their ends. Add one more tube, in the plane perpendicular to the first two, and a socket for a pivot opposite that. Place the sphere on a covered vat of boiling water so that the third tube conducts steam into the sphere, where it can be ejected from the L-shaped tubes. Once the steam begins to flow, the sphere will rotate on the pivot, propelled by the steam leaving the tubes.
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- The Mechanical Tradition of Hero of Alexandria , pp. 1 - 19Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2023