Ctesibius of Alexandria
Published: August 24, 2008, 3:25 pm
Updated: August 24, 2008, 3:25 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Tom Lawrence
Ctesibius' Water Organ.
Ctesibius of Alexandria (c. 285-222 BC), a Greek physicist and inventor, regarded as the first great figure of the ancient engineering tradition of Alexandria, Egypt. Ctesibius discovered the elasticity of air and invented several devices using compressed air, including force pumps and an air-powered catapult. He also improved the water clock, in which water dripping at a constant rate raised a float with a pointer; and a hydraulus (water organ), in which the weight of water forced air through the organ pipes.
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Citation
Cutler J. Cleveland (Lead Author);Tom Lawrence (Topic Editor) "Ctesibius of Alexandria". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth August 24, 2008; Last revised Date August 24, 2008; Retrieved May 22, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Ctesibius_of_Alexandria>
The Author
Cutler J. Cleveland is Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, where he also is on the faculty of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. Professor Cleveland is Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Energy (Elsevier, 2004), winner of an American Library Association award, the Dictionary of Energy (Elsevier, 2005), Handbook of Energy (Elsevier, forthcoming), and is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. He is the recipient of the Adelma ... (Full Bio)
Ctesibius' Water Organ.
Ctesibius of Alexandria (c. 285-222 BC), a Greek physicist and inventor, regarded as the first great figure of the ancient engineering tradition of Alexandria, Egypt. Ctesibius discovered the elasticity of air and invented several devices using compressed air, including force pumps and an air-powered catapult. He also improved the water clock, in which water dripping at a constant rate raised a float with a pointer; and a hydraulus (water organ), in which the weight of water forced air through the organ pipes.
Further Reading
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