Abstract
The aim of this paper is to discuss the modern value of the automata designs by Heron and to stress the power of Antiquity mechanical design of mechanisms in dealing not only with operation tasks. In addition, an interpretation is proposed to understand those automata as early robots for a proper inspiration of new solutions as technological transfer of accumulated theoretical knowledge and for credit as systems of cultural contents. The paper shows main designs supporting the above arguments and a specific interpretation on how Heron merged successfully automation technology with cultural values.
R. Bragastini—Retired professor.
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Notes
- 1.
It is convenient to give a clear explanation of the word ‘engineer’, that although coined with the current technical meaning at the beginning of 19th century is used also when referring to machine design in the Antiquity. According to the Greek language the word "engineer" is linked to the word "architecture" that means "some-one who produces something", but also in the town of Athene the meaning was "a man obliged to maintain a theatre in good order". An engineer in Greek also means "Mekanopoios" which comes from the word "mechanè" whose meaning is "something coming down from the sky" and this explains why the Romans used to say the sentence: "Deus ex machina". Engine also means expedient or trick, and in fact, Vitruvius, Roman architect, gave to the word "engineer" the meaning "machinator" which means "fraud upholder". (see also: Marco Ceccarelli and Roberto Bragastini, Historical accounts on the figure of engineers and academic mission for their formation, New Trends in Educational Activity in the Field of Mechanism and Machine Science, Springer, Dordrecht, pp. 3–10, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01836-2_1.
- 2.
Comment by Roberto Bragastini (today 93 years old): one of my life dreams came true by getting two degrees: the first degree in Mechanical Engineering and the second one in Science Philosophy. This HMM international symposium gives me the opportunity to present Heron' self-moving automaton under a different point of view that frankly may be a too personal view over one of my conjecture on form and substance of machine design.
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Bragastini, R., Ceccarelli, M. (2019). Mechanisms in Heron’s Automata as Technological Transfer and Cultural Means. In: Zhang, B., Ceccarelli, M. (eds) Explorations in the History and Heritage of Machines and Mechanisms. History of Mechanism and Machine Science, vol 37. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03538-9_15
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