Archimedes’ first great mechanical invention was a water pump he invented while still a student in Alexandria.
Transporting water from the source was a huge task in the ancient world, particularly for farmers.
The Archimedes’ screw was so ingenious that it is still used today for irrigation in some countries.
Archimedes used his favorite form, the cylinder, to build his pump. A wooden cylinder was surrounded by thin strips of wood wound around it in the form of a spiral.
This screw was placed inside a larger cylinder and sealed. A handle was attached to the screw at the top, and the bottom was placed in the water at an angle.
When the handle on the pump was turned, the screw would rotate and water trapped in the spiral would move upward.
When it reached the top, it could be collected or simply emptied into an irrigation ditch.
The device was also used to drain excess water from inside ships and thus prevent them from sinking.
Related Posts
-
Who Was Archimedes and What Was Archimedes’ Greatest Contribution To Science In the Ancient World?
In 213 B.C., Rome attacked the beautiful Greek city of Syracuse on the island of Sicily. Rome had the greatest army and navy the world had ever known, but they were helpless against…
-
How Did Archimedes Defend Syracuse From the Roman Army and What Types of Weapons Did Archimedes Invent?
When Rome invaded Syracuse in 213 B.C., Archimedes was 72 years old but his mechanical genius was needed to save the city. The weapons he invented to defend the island from the Roman…
-
Why Did Archimedes Say “Give Me a Place To Stand and I Can Move the World” and What Does It Mean?
One of Archimedes' achievements was discovering the mechanics of the lever. He knew a small force at one end of a lever could move a great weight if the pivot, or fulcrum were…
-
What is the story of Archimedes’ inspiration in the bathtub when he yelled Eureka?
Better yet, we can give you an account from the first century B.C., written by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, a Roman architect, engineer, and writer: In the case of Archimedes, although he made many…
-
Why Did Archimedes Run Through the Streets of Syracuse Naked Yelling “Eureka!” When His Bathtub Overflowed?
Legend has it that Archimedes once ran through the streets of Syracuse naked yelling, "Eureka!" because he had discovered an amazing scientific principle. King Hiero had given a craftsman a certain amount of…
-
How Does a Rocket Work and How Does a Rocket Produce Thrust To Propel It Into Space?
Rockets launch spacecraft into space. Without a good rocket, a satellite or space capsule isn't going anywhere. The basic workings of a rocket begin with a store of liquid fuel and one of…
