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Citation

Alternate Title(s): De Spiritali
Author: Giambattista della Porta
Publication Location: Naples
Year: 1606

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Summary

Della Porta explored various ideas for steam powered machines following the example of Hero of Alexandria. In antiquity, Hero fashioned marvelous automata using steam, air pressure, and hydraulics. Pneumatic engineering is but one example of della Porta’s larger enterprise of “Natural Magic,” in which he attempted to make visible the effects of causes that are hidden but natural.

Related Items

Theme(s): Engineering, Physics, Chemistry
Chronological Period: 16th century
Geographical Region(s): Italy, Europe
Resource Type: Book