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The pneumatics of Hero of Alexandria

Chapter 76: 72. A Lamp in which the Oil is raised by blowing Air into it.
By of Alexandria Hero
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About This Book

A systematic practical handbook of machines and demonstrations that uses air, steam, heat, and water to produce mechanical effects. The text gives clear descriptions, construction details, and diagrams for siphons, valves, pumps, fountains, jets, self‑acting mechanisms, and ritual or theatrical contrivances driven by pressure and temperature changes. Explanations focus on the mechanical principles behind pneumatic and hydraulic behaviors and on ways to control flow and timing, with numbered propositions that pair instructional steps with illustrative figures for building and operating each apparatus.

72. A Lamp in which the Oil is raised by blowing Air into it.

The same effect can be produced with the same general construction, more readily [than] by constructing the pedestal in which the water is. Let the rest be as before, with the exception of the pedestal and the water in it; the extremity M of the tube M N, (fig. 72), being fitted air-tight into an orifice in the surface of the shaft, so as to be visible outside. Then apply the mouth and blow into the outer orifice; the breath will pass into the cup and force out the oil through the tube X O. Thus the same will take place as before; for as often as we blow into the tube oil will flow into the lamp. It will be necessary that the extremity of the handle should be bent at right angles to the orifice of the lamp, that the oil may not be driven outside.