Accession No

6127

Brief Description

aeolipile, of type described by Jean-Antoine Nollet, probably late 18th Century

Origin

Maker

Class

physics

Earliest Date

1764

Latest Date

1825

Inscription Date

Material

Brass

Dimensions

Length 177mm; width 135mm; height 187mm

Special Collection

Provenance

Purchased from Le Clos de la Tour, 33920 St Christdy de Blaye, France on or before 11/06/2007.

Inscription

Description Notes

An aeolipile of the type described by Jean-Antoine Nollet in his Lessons of Experimental Physics, Paris 1764.
Purpose is to show the effects of steam under pressure.

Object is in three separate parts:
Hollow, spherical receptacle has long, curved neck coming from its top, through which it would be filled with water;

Carriage has three wheels in an isosceles triangle (two at the front and one at the back) and forms the support in which the spherical receptacle sits;

Fuel container sits in the carriage so that the source of heat is suspended directly below the receptacle.

See E305 for four books by Nollet.

References

Events

Description
The aeolipile is a machine used to study the effects of steam under pressure. The pear-shaped receptacle is filled with water, which is then heated by placing a night light on the platform beneath. When the water reaches boiling point, steam is expelled under pressure from the hole in the back of the receptacle, causing the carriage to move forwards, in accordance with Newton’s Third Law of Motion: ”For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”.

The aeolipile was first described in the 1st century B.C. by Vitruvius, the Roman architect and engineer and is generally considered to be the first recorded form of steam engine.

This metal carriage is fitted with an aeolipile, a type of early steam engine. Invented by the Ancient Greeks, the aeolipile comprises a water-filled sphere with a narrow, curved spout. When heated, steam shoots from the spout, propelling the device forwards. Many similar machines were built in the late eighteenth century, revealing growing interest in steam-powered technology.
06/07/2009
Created by: Anna Judson on 06/07/2009

FM:46596