History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce, Volume 4 (of 4)

CHAPTER I.

Earliest modes of propulsion—Suggested partly by nature—Hero of Alexandria, B.C. 120—Dancing steam ball—Æolipile—Application of science to superstitious purposes—Revival of learning—Robertus Valturius, 1472—Blasco de Garay—Story of his experiment, 1543—Disproved by Mr. MacGregor’s investigations, _note_—Progress of invention—Bourne—Solomon de Caus, Marquess of Worcester, ...