Greek mathematician and engineer Heron of Alexandria (lived and worked in Alexandria in the second half of the first century A.D., Roman Egypt) invented the first automatic doors, automatic puppet theater, vending machine, quick self-charging crossbow, steam turbine, automated scenery, the device to measure the length of roads (the ancient “taximeter”), etc.[1-3]
Heron of Alexandria was the first who created a programmable device (shaft with pins and with a coiled rope on it).[3]
Heron’s Wind-powered organ (reconstruction). [4] 1
Heron’s Steam turbine. [5] 1
Much of Heron’s original writings and designs have been lost, but some of his works were preserved in Arabic manuscripts.[1]
References:
1. Hero of Alexandria. – Mode of access: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_of_Alexandria.
2. Герон Александрійський. – Mode of access: http://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%93%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BD.
3. Герон. – Mode of access: http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%93%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BD_%D0%90%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B4%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9.
4. File:Heron’s Windwheel.jpg. – Mode of access: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Heron%27s_Windwheel.jpg.
5. File:Aeolipile illustration.JPG. – Mode of access: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aeolipile_illustration.JPG.
6. Heron of Alexandria. – Mode of access: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/263417/Heron-of-Alexandria.
7. University of Oklahoma Libraries // Online Galleries // 01Ancient // HeroOfAlexandria // 1575. – Mode of access: http://hos.ou.edu/galleries//01Ancient/HeroOfAlexandria/1575/ .
1 This image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired.