An Examination of the Mechanisms of Movement in Heron of Alexandria's On Automaton-Making

摘要

In the first book of On Automaton-Making a number of mechanisms are described which move a 'mobile-automaton' around a performance space. These mechanisms are presented in the form of new translations from the original Greek. The feasibility of each mechanism is discussed, and other technical issues in each plan are considered along with those applicable to all. From this some conclusions as to which mechanisms had actually been constructed or witnessed by the author are made, and the theoretical nature of the remaining devices is considered. Additionally, a short introduction to the author Heron of Alexandria is given, along with an introduction to the text On Automaton-Making as a whole.