Mind-Benders of Greek & Roman History
A working steam device ran in Roman Egypt — about 1,650 years too early
In the first century CE, Hero of Alexandria described the aeolipile: a sealed vessel of boiling water whose escaping steam spun a metal sphere on angled jets — a genuine steam-driven device. It remained a curiosity; steam power would not turn the wheels of industry until Thomas Newcomen's engine of 1712 CE, roughly 1,650 years later.
How we know
Hero of Alexandria c. 27–67 CE (floruit fixed by the eclipse of 13 March 62 CE); aeolipile described c. 62 CE. Newcomen's atmospheric engine 1712 CE → 1,650 yrs; Watt 1769 → 1,707 yrs.
One of many fact-checked wonders across eight traditions at The Spring of Wisdom.