Heron of Alexandria

Today on Far Future Horizons we present another exciting episode of the History Channel’s acclaimed documentary series “Ancient Discoveries” which focuses on one of the greatest engineers, inventors and Roboticists of antiquity – Heron of Alexandria.

Heron of Alexandria was a Greek mathematician and engineer who was lived and worked in his native city of Alexandria. He is considered the greatest experimenter of antiquity and his work is representative of the Hellenistic scientific tradition.

Heron published a well recognized description of a steam-powered device called an aeolipile (hence sometimes called a "Heron engine"). Among his most famous inventions was a wind wheel (or windmill), constituting the earliest instance of harnessing of wind energy. Heron was also a pioneer in early robotics and automation. 

Some of his ideas were derived from the works of Tesibius (the inventor of the first mechanical clock).

Heron's Theatrical robots

Much of Hero's original writings and designs have been lost, but fortunately, some of his works were preserved in Arab manuscripts.

Ancient Discoveries is one documentary series you will want to add to your collection and is available on DVD from Amazon.com.

Ancient Discoveries - Heron of Alexandria

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