Steam Technology 2000 years ago

Heron of Alexandria was a scientist who lived roughly 2000 years ago.  He is famous for inventing an early Steam Engine:

Heron from Alexandria (Heron Alexandrinus) was a Mathematician, Physicist and Engineer who lived in 10-70 AD... as in one of his works he referred to a recent eclipse which is now thought to have occurred in 13 March 62 AD. From Heron's writings it is reasonable to deduce that he taught at the Museum in Alexandria. His origin is uncertain although he wrote in Greek on the measurement of geometric figures and invented many contrivances operated by water, steam, or compressed air, including a fountain and a fire engine.

Some sources say Heron lived around 150 BC.  If so, then, theoretically, if Egypt had developed the Steam Engine, then Egypt may have been strengthened enough that it would not have been conquered by Julius Caesar (48 BC).

This author disputes the date of "13-3-62 AD".   This date seemingly refers, to a Lunar Eclipse, which occurred on 14 March 62 AD, about 1:00 AM.  It was a partial eclipse, of "A" type.  However, there was a very similar eclipse, which occurred on 31 March 162 BC, about 12:40 AM.  It, too, was a partial eclipse, of "A" type.  The latter eclipse agrees with the older, 2nd century BC, dates for Heron of Alexandria.

Note, too, that the strong Babylonian influences, seen in Heron's work, seem much more consistent, with the earlier, 2nd century BC date, when Hellenistic Civilization still united Seleucid Mesopotamia & Ptolemaic Egypt.  And, the Roman engineer Vitruvius mentioned the Steam Engine (aeolipile) in De Architectura c.25 BC, as if he was aware of earlier sources.




Edited by Bismarck - 30 June 2010 at 12:20am