Aeolipile - First Engine In The World

The technology that we experience today is nothing short of amazing. The introduction of newer technologies has helped mankind change their lives with the use of machinery increasing as we speak.

The idea to develop a more sophisticated technology that is in our hands is all thanks to the strong foundation that existed for thousands of years. There were many ideas of people in the past that proved to be the turning point for the technologies that we use today.

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One of the most used technologies today will be the engine. Despite the invention of the engine is based on modern-day research, its original idea came from an inventor that lived in the 1st century.

The Story of Heron Alexandrinus

In 10 AD, Heron Alexandrinus was born in the land of Alexandria(now known as Egypt). Heron was a Greek descendant growing up to be highly intellectual in the field of mathematics and engineering.

He was considered an inventor that inspire most of the technologies that are being used today. During his life, Heron survives by teaching at the Alexandria Muzeum which made it easier for him to exchange ideas with other scientists and scholars in developing newer ideas.

One of Heron's greatest creations that got less attention following the confusion in the writings of history will be the Aeolipile. It is a steam turbine that is capable of producing a thrust force. Aeolipile was the first steam engine created in this world but Heron at the time was unable to identify the practical use of that engine.

Aeolipile - The Ancestor of Modern Engine

Aeolipile was named after the God of Aeolus, the Greek God that controls air and wind. The word pile at the end comes from the word 'pila' which means ball. A similar idea was mentioned by a well-known inventor, Vitruvius a year earlier to Heron's creation.

Vitruvius also mentioned in his writings an idea with the same name. However, there was one major difference between the two in which Heron utilize a spinning ball to produce a thrust force whereas Vitruvius did not state how the power is generated.

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More importantly, Heron managed to create a functional tool. His creation was recorded in his book 'Pneumatica' which pictured in detail the procedures as well as the steps into making the aeolipile.

As mentioned above, there were not any recordings showing how the aeolipile was used practically. Studies showed that aeolipile was merely used as a novelty presentation to the public that is displayed in their worshipping temples.

What is Aeolipile Capable Of?

Following the lack of better technology at the time, the aeolipile was built in a complex manner with a furnace that function to produce heat underneath the aeolipile. The steel ball had several tubes that releases steam through it.

When the fire is set and hot water starts generating steam, the steam will then enter the steel ball and escape through the tubes which act like an exhaust. The more heat produced by the aeolipile, the more steam will be produced which will generate a thrust that will spin the ball until it reaches a stable speed.

The steam engine created by Heron was capable of reaching a rotary speed of 1,500 spins a minute.

Heron's Idea Was Forgotten Until The 16th Century

Despite managing to produce a working prototype, Heron's idea was not expanded further during his time. It was only after several centuries later, that an engineer from the Ottoman Empire in Egypt known as Taqi al-Din took his idea to create several tools with similar principles.

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In his book, Taqi mentioned the use of a steam engine which helps rotate the burner to ensure that food based on meat is cooked evenly. Taqi al-Din's creation became the basis of the invention of the modern steam turbine in the 17th century.

In the 18th century, Thomas Newcomen created the first steam engine in the world which was more practical for daily use with the introduction of a valve system and piston to control the movement of the engine.

His creation was then improved by other inventors afterward and is now with various variations that can be used for multiple purposes. That is the story of how a spinning steel ball that is steam-powered with little functionality can bring a powerful meaning in today's world.

Source:

• Iluminasi

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