Aeoliple by David Crisalli

I built this working model of an Aeolipile for a gentleman in Sweden.  The model is made entirely of copper and brass and stands 10 inches tall.  For those who don't know about this type of device, the following information may be helpful:  

The aeolipile was a steam turbine attributed to Heron of Alexandria in the first century AD and described in his book, Pneumatica.  As described, it was a hollow sphere mounted on an axel atop a boiler and fitted with bent tubes that would allow the steam generated in the boiler to cause the sphere to spin as the steam escaped.  It was the first known device to transform steam power into rotary motion.  However, it was eighteen centuries before the principle demonstrated could be put to practical use.

Click to watch the aeoliple in action.

Copy and photos supplied by David Crisalli.