The Steam Engine Was Forgotten for 1,500 Years: Who Decided When It Could Be Used?

Around the first century, in Alexandria in Roman Egypt, Hero described a metal sphere that turned when water inside it was heated. Steam escaped through two bent tubes and the thrust made the sphere spin. The device was called an aeolipile. It is the first recorded steam engine, although it was not strong or durable enough to drive machinery.

Around the first century, in Alexandria in Roman Egypt, Hero described a metal sphere that turned when water inside it was heated. Steam escaped through two bent tubes and the thrust made the sphere spin. The device was called an aeolipile. It is the first recorded steam engine, although it was not strong or durable enough to drive machinery.

Around the first century, in Alexandria in Roman Egypt, Hero described a metal sphere that turned when water inside it was heated. Steam escaped through two bent tubes and the thrust made the sphere spin. The device was called an aeolipile. It is the first recorded steam engine, although it was not strong or durable enough to drive machinery.

Around the first century, in Alexandria in Roman Egypt, Hero described a metal sphere that turned when water inside it was heated. Steam escaped through two bent tubes and the thrust made the sphere spin. The device was called an aeolipile. It is the first recorded steam engine, although it was not strong or durable enough to drive machinery.