The “aeolosphere” of Heron

The first “steam-machine” in history. It is the precursor of the steam-turbine which, with the addition of a pulley, would have led the Hellenistic Era (had it not been interrupted by the political, economical and social factors) to the Industrial Revolution with unforeseeable consequences for humanity. It consisted of a sphere (with two curved nozzles) which rested on the curved ends of two pipes connected to the top of an airtight boiler. When the water in the boiler was heated, it turned into steam. Then, it entered the sphere and came out with speed from the two nozzles forcing the opposite continuous rotation of the sphere. SOURCES: “Heron, Pneumatica”