Ancient Greek Engineers Built a 200-Foot Steam-Powered Robot
Around 60 AD, the mathematician Hero of Alexandria designed an automated figure that used boiling water to create steam pressure, which moved the statue’s arms and made it appear to pour liquid from a container. This early automaton relied on simple principles of heat expansion and pressure, demonstrating how ancient inventors understood basic thermodynamics centuries before the Industrial Revolution. The device formed part of a larger tradition of mechanical wonders showcased in temples and public festivals.
💡 Fun detail:
The same steam technology was also used to open heavy temple doors automatically, astonishing worshippers who believed the gods themselves were moving the structures.
Source: Smithsonian Magazine