Every now and again one runs into a reference about a guy called Hero of Alexandria, who (it is said) created a steam engine some time around 60 AD. In fact, I even made mention of this in my ...

If Hero — the ancient Greek inventor — had been able to enjoy a beer after work, he might have pulled a trick like [BevCanTech] did: use it to create a simple steam engine. Of course, we aren’t sure ...

Heron, the great inventor of Alexandria, described in detail what is thought to be the first working steam engine. He called it an aeolipile, or "wind ball". His design was a sealed caldron of water ...

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Once upon a time, the steam engine reigned supreme -- first in trains and heavy tractors, as you well know, but eventually in cars as well. It's quite hard to fathom today, but at the turn of the 20th ...