Windmill Wonders Free wind Commentary

Hero of Alexandria (Heron) mechanics

Windmill

• Hero of Alexandria, known also as Heron, invented machines that work
• on the pressure of air, steam, and water, or using a weight like a clock,
• a wind-powered organ, a fire engine with the first force-pump,
• automatic doors, a statue that poured wine,
• a ten-minute automated mechanical theatrical performance,
• the first coin-operated vending machine (dispensing holy water),
• a programmable cart, and the first steam turbine,
• a temple novelty, the aeolipile, powered by jets of steam.

Wonders

• Heron intended his machines as toys, tools, and temple wonders.
• The gods of ancient Greece had already set a precedent.
• Hephaestus had made the winged helmet and sandals of Hermes,
• walking tripods, and the bronze man, Talos, who guarded the island of Crete.

Free wind

• There’s no fee for putting the wind to work
• except for the ship and its mast, rigging, crew, and sails.
• There’s no fee except for someone to mind the mill
• and the millstone that it turns.
• There’s no fee; the wind is free,
• but windmills were all replaced with gas and steam engines.