What practical uses can the aeolipile have?

Driftless

Donor
I doubt there's much of a direct use for the aeliopile itself. In order for it to be capable of real work, it would need to be pretty large. That's probably beyond the metalurgic abilities of that era.

It's best purpose is as and idea generator - a means to an end. A good many of those ends need additional technology development
 
I doubt there's much of a direct use for the aeliopile itself. In order for it to be capable of real work, it would need to be pretty large. That's probably beyond the metalurgic abilities of that era.

It's best purpose is as and idea generator - a means to an end. A good many of those ends need additional technology development

1) right.
2) some of Hero's other steam toys (temple door openers etc) probably are a better place to start than the aeolipile
3) see the following

Rome gets steam power in 150 C.E. (Multi-page thread 1 2 3 4)
Tiberian

AH Challenge; Rome Discovers Steam
The Cobbler

Yesterday's Tommorow: A Plausible Roman Steam TL (Multi-page thread 1 2 3 4 5 6)
DonMegel

Hero's Handy Dandy Steam Slave! (Multi-page thread 1 2 3)
Geekhis Khan

WI: The Long Low Steam Age
tormsen

Plausibility check/WI: Aeolipile used as an engine?
ScorchedLight


Aeolipile: A Roman Steam Engine? (Multi-page thread 1 2)
Jape

Roman Industrial Revolution (Multi-page thread 1 2 3)
Saepe Fidelis

N00b WI : Roman steam-powered industrial revolution !!! (Multi-page thread 1 2)
Petike

Roman railroads? (Multi-page thread 1 2)
acgoldis

Heron's steam engine (Multi-page thread 1 2)
Hypa

Steam! But in Greece?
Marr965

Hero of Alexandria points Rome towards the Space Age (Multi-page thread 1 2 3)
Sinaz

Hero's steam engine triggers Greek industrial revolution? (Multi-page thread 1 2)
acgoldis

Industrial Revolution in Rome? (Multi-page thread 1 2)
Cornivus


Term Paper: From Aeolipile to Locomotive (Multi-page thread 1 2 3)
DominusNovus
 
Top