Eolipile

Contrivance of Hero of Alexandria ab. 120 В.С.; probably the first application of steam power for the produc Eolipile. tion of motion. It consists of a hollow metal sphere capable of rotation about an axis. It is fitted with two small tubes, bent at right angles and facing opposite ways, through which steam may be made to i ue by boiling water in the ve el by means of a spirit lamp. The reaction of the steam as it i ues from the pipes causes the sphere to rotate in a direction opposite to that of the i uing steam.