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Chapter 1 - Introduction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 July 2023

Courtney Ann Roby
Affiliation:
Cornell University, New York
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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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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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  • Introduction
  • Courtney Ann Roby, Cornell University, New York
  • Book: The Mechanical Tradition of Hero of Alexandria
  • Online publication: 06 July 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009029261.001
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  • Introduction
  • Courtney Ann Roby, Cornell University, New York
  • Book: The Mechanical Tradition of Hero of Alexandria
  • Online publication: 06 July 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009029261.001
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Introduction
  • Courtney Ann Roby, Cornell University, New York
  • Book: The Mechanical Tradition of Hero of Alexandria
  • Online publication: 06 July 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009029261.001
Available formats
×