91av

Letter: Hero of Alexandria's steam engine

Published 27 September 2017

From John Bradshaw, Belgrave South, Victoria, Australia

You ask: what if the ancient Greeks had invented the steam engine (9 September, p 5)? described a sphere containing water mounted over a fire on a horizontal axis, with small jets emitting steam. It spins – he thus invented both the steam engine and the jet.

Issue no. 3145 published 30 September 2017

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with 91av events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop