The Aeolipile

Initializing live version
Download to Desktop

Requires a Wolfram Notebook System

Interact on desktop, mobile and cloud with the free Wolfram Player or other Wolfram Language products.

The Aeolipile, the first rotating steam engine, was invented in the first century AD by the mathematician and engineer Heron of Alexandria. First described in his treatise Pneumatica, it is considered a precursor of the Industrial Revolution's steam engines. The aeolipile was mounted on a cauldron with tubes leading into a hollow disk with a pair of tubes that allow steam to escape, causing a rotational motion. When the flame at the bottom increases, the disk spins faster.

Contributed by: Enrique Zeleny (March 2011)
Open content licensed under CC BY-NC-SA


Snapshots


Details

See more details of the Aeolipile on Wikipedia.



Feedback (field required)
Email (field required) Name
Occupation Organization
Note: Your message & contact information may be shared with the author of any specific Demonstration for which you give feedback.
Send