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Archytas (428–347 BC) [ar-KEE-tus]

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Greek philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer

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friend of Plato

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was reported to have constructed and flown the first self-propelled flying device

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we don't have illustrations of this device

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described as a small bird-shaped device

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may have been suspended by a wire

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using a jet of steam, this device was propelled through the air

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this demonstrated the concept of reactive propulsion

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The Hero Engine

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Hero of Alexandria (65-125 AD)

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first device to transform steam into rotary motion

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a hollow sphere placed on top of a vessel of heated water

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the water in the vessel travels up two tubes which led to a sphere which was free to rotate on a shaft

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two L-shaped nozzles which were attached to the sphere and pointed tangentially

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as steam flowed through the tubes and out the nozzles, it caused the sphere to rotate

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nobody understood that this was an early reaction steam turbine

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it was considered to be a toy

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Hero went on to publish books in geometry, mechanics and pneumatics (engineering that makes use of gas or pressurized air)

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ca. 100 AD Chinese developed simple form of gun powder

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made of saltpeter, sulfur and charcoal dust

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when ignited produced colorful sparks and smoke

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use as fireworks for religious and festive events

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experimented with filling bamboo tubes with gunpowder

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attached to arrows and launched with bows

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the first solid rocket

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first reported use was in a conflict in 1232 with the Mongols

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would fire 100 at once

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didn't make many improvements over the centuries

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but use of these rockets spread to India and Europe