Name/Title
Eolipile (Aeolipile)Entry/Object ID
2013.3.30Description
An early dictionary (G. Gregory, 1816) describes this as follows: "...a hollow metalline ball, in which is inserted a slender neck or pipe; whence after the vessel has been partly filled with water, and heated, issues a blast of vapour with great vehemence.
"The aeolipile is sometimes placed in a small carriage, and a cork thrust into the extremity of the pipe. When the vapour is sufficiently heated, it rushes out the cord in one direction, while the carriage moves the contrary way."
The spirit lamp is missing from this machine. The spherical brass boiler is two and a half inches in diameter. In the list of apparatus purchased from Pixii there is given, "Eolipile on wheels - 45 francs." The name Aeolipile is also given by Edw. H. Knight (American Mechanical Dictionary, 1876) to Hero's Engine. But in Hero's engine the steam issued from two bent arms, and by reaction rotated the sphere to which the arms were attached.Collection
Moosnick Museum - Scientific Apparatus