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An 'aeolipile' is a rocket-like^[1] reaction engine^[2] consisting of an air-tight chamber (usually a sphere or cylinder) with bent or curved nozzles projecting from it, through which steam is expelled perpendicular to the radius of rotation. The resulting torque causes the device to spin (Newton's third law). Typically, the water is heated in a basin, which is connected to the rotating chamber by a pair of pipes that also serve as the pivots for the chamber. However, the water may also be heated in the chamber itself as shown in the illustration below.

The aeolipile, invented in the first century by Heron of Alexandria, is considered to be the first recorded steam engine.^[3] However, the device was thought of as nothing more than a diversion during Heron's lifetime, and the device received little serious recognition until relatively modern times.
The name —derived from the Latin words "aeoli" and "pila"— translates to "the ball of Aeolus" ; Aeolus being the Greek god of the wind.
''Mad Magazine'' spoofed the device in an article satirizing the popular mail-order house Johnson Smith.

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See also

References

External links

See also

★ Steam engine

★ Hot water rocket

★ Rocket engine

References

1. [1]
2. [2]
3. "turbine." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 18 July 2007 .

External links

★ Building a replica of the aeolipile (includes a history of the aeolipile and an explanation of the principles behind it).