Hero of Alexandria and His Inventions

Study Notes

Hero of Alexandria, born in 10 AD in Alexandria, was a significant mathematician and engineer of antiquity, famous for inventing the steam-powered aeolipile.
"Pneumatics," Hero's treatise, details the use of steam pressure to generate rotational motion, relevant to modern steam engines and turbines.
Archimedes, around 330 BC, is credited with an early steam-powered device, a cannon, although evidence of his specific design is lacking.
Ctesibius, a 3rd-century BC inventor, created a water-filled metal sphere that demonstrated fluid behavior and might have inspired Hero's aeolipile.

Ismail Al-Jazari, a notable medieval Islamic engineer, authored a comprehensive treatise on mechanical devices and automata in 1206, marking significant progress in engineering.

Leonardo da Vinci, a polymath of the 15th century, conceptualized a mechanical knight, illustrating the early ideas of humanoid robotics.
Jacques de Vaucanson, an 18th-century French inventor, is known for creating Vaucanson's duck, a pioneering example of automata.
Joseph Marie Jacquard invented the Jacquard loom, revolutionizing weaving and the textile industry through automation.

Karel Čapek, a Czech writer, introduced the term "robot" in his 1920 play "R.U.R" (Rossum's Universal Robots). TČapek's work highlights ethical themes, societal impact, and technological consequences through artificial beings, influencing science fiction and debates on intelligent machine responsibilities.
The term "robot" is derived from the Czech word "robota," signifying forced labor.

Isaac Asimov, a prolific American author, is famous for his works in science fiction and for creating the concept of the positronic brain, allowing robots to reason and interact with humans.

George Devol invented the programmable robot and co-founded Unimation with Joseph Engelberger, who is regarded as the "father of industrial robotics."
In 1961, Unimate, the first industrial robot, was installed in a General Motors factory, enhancing manufacturing efficiency in welding and material handling.
Unimation was established in 1956 and was acquired by ABB in 1989, marking the first dedicated company for industrial robots.

David Hanson Jr. founded Hanson Robotics in 2013 and serves as its CEO.
Sophia, an advanced social humanoid robot by Hanson Robotics, is noteworthy for her lifelike features and ability to engage in conversations, activated on February 14, 2016.