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Meet the Ancient World’s Greatest Inventor: Hero of Alexandria

February 2, 2016 by · Leave a Comment 

By Samuel Phineas Upham

Hero of Alexandria described the concept of steam powered engine, and was able to reproduce it, long before it was ever utilized in a factory setting. He was representative of a larger, Hellenestic movement toward an understanding of science and reason. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest inventors in the history of civilization.

To understand Hero, one must first understand that the period in which he lived was a transition. Greek ideals for mathematics, such as the work of Pythogoras, formed the basis for Hellenistic research but they were considered outdated ideals in many cases. The important concepts, such as empirical and deliberate experimentation, were kept and modified accordingly.

Hero likely taught in the Musaeum, which was created by Ptolomy, and was known to be an engineer. He taught physics and pneumatics, but these fields were not necessarily formalized. It’s likely he taught a variety of concepts in addition to these core concepts.

Hero created an aeolipile, which was similar to a rocket engine. Jets of steam exited a turbine, fueled by water boiling in a pan below, to create motion. He is also credited with the concept of the world’s first vending machine. One inserted a coin, which rested on a platform. The weight of the coin was counterbalanced, and holy water was dispensed for payment. Once the allotment was reached, the counter balance would cause the coin to drop into a pan and reset the valve. Hero’s quests for automation did not stop at snacks. He created a wind-powered organ, and a fountain that operated on self-contained hydrostatic energy.


Samuel Phineas Uphamis an investor from NYC and SF. You may contact Phin on his Samual Phineas Upham website or Linkedin page.

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