The pneumatics of Hero of AlexandriaHero, of Alexandria
History
The pneumatics of Hero of Alexandria
Hero, of Alexandria
Discoveries in science -- History; Inventions -- History; Pneumatics
By the same means it is possible to discharge from the same globe
both hot and cold water in any quantity. The globe A B (fig. 7) is
constructed as before, but furnished with a perpendicular partition,
C D, dividing it equally. At the top a tube, H F, soldered into the
globe, communicates with the interior; this tube is also furnished
with a partition, C G, a continuation of the partition C D, and its
openings, H, K, must curve over in the directions C and F.
On each side of the partition C D, at the bottom of the globe towards
D, let holes be made like those in a cook’s ladle. When it is desired
to draw hot water, take the apertures H and K by the two fingers and
plunge the globe into hot water, and then unclose one of the vents,
H, that the air in the hemisphere B C D may be driven out through H:
the hot water, entering through the holes, will fill the hemisphere
B C D: again stopping the vent H take the globe out of the water,
and its contents will be retained, as the air has no entrance. Then,
in like manner, plunge the globe into cold water, unclosing the vent
K, and, when the hemisphere A C D is filled, close K and draw the
globe out. The globe is now full of hot and cold water, and when it
is desired to discharge either of these, unclose the proper vent: in
like manner close it again when the discharge is sufficient; and this
may be repeated till the contents are exhausted. In the same way it is
possible to draw up into and discharge from the same vessel wine, and
cold or hot water, and anything else whatever, at any time, and in any
quantity, by making the necessary partitions and orifices through which
the air may enter into each chamber and leave it again. Instead of the
curved outlets, holes may be made in the upper part of the sides of the
tube in various directions; and these holes are of course to be closed
when it is required to shut out the air. That the holes pierced in the
bottom of the vessel may not be seen, both sets may be included in one
channel, so that both streams may appear to flow from the same source.
8. _A Vessel for discharging Liquids in varying proportions._
[Illustration: Diagram of apparatus as described in text]
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