The desire to create something new has not developed exclusively for the benefit of modern business. In fact, it has existed for thousands of years. Whether for profit or for glory or for knowledge and the betterment of mankind, innovation has long been a goal of the world’s great minds.
Enter Archimedes
One such mind belonged to Archimedes, the ancient Greek mathematician, and inventor whose merit has long been established. He was born in the city-state of Syracuse in Sicily and was educated by Euclid at Alexandria, home of the legendary Egyptian library. Archimedes’ education was the greatest then available and resulted in his frequent employment by and for King Hiero II.
Archimedes is responsible for the creation of several revolutionary inventions, all of which are noteworthy. Among them are:
• The water screw – a device used to raise water in defiance of gravity. Made irrigation and water collection much simpler.
• The odometer – much like the gadget in your car that counts your mileage. Worked back then with carts and wagons.
• Calculus – evidence suggests Archimedes was using integral calculus over 1,500 years ahead of Gottfried Leibniz or Isaac Newton
Perhaps his most exciting innovations, however, were his war machines, the likes of which had never been seen before.
The War Problem
War in the ancient world was ever-present. Conquests and revenge battles were very popular and every major city was susceptible to invasion. Unlike modern warfare, however, most of the combat had to be executed in very close proximity to the enemy. Most battle fatalities were the result of injuries from blades, spears and arrows.
The difficulty with killing your enemy from such a close distance is, of course, that they are trying to kill you too! An army with the ability to kill from afar would have an incredible advantage. This principle can be seen even today.
The Claw
Before air travel, movement by sea (or river) was the quickest way to get around. The militaries of the day frequently moved their personnel this way. Therefore, destroying a ship would be a huge victory—but again, that same problem arose. How do we get at it without exposing ourselves? The answer? Get bigger. Archimedes recognized that size and distance go hand-in-hand. If a person, animal or tool is bigger, it can cover more distance. That was precisely what Archimedes needed.
Using this revelation, he designed a huge, stationary crane that would stand on the shoreline of the city. Using ropes, pulleys, and hooks, the crane could lift a ship from the water and shake it to pieces before dropping it once again. He could drown an entire ship of invaders without stepping foot on board.
The Death Ray
Although it sounds like something from science fiction, Archimedes created a surprisingly simple and devastatingly futuristic laser-like weapon to strike from even farther away. The claw was an innovative masterpiece, but if far was good, farther was great.
Archimedes looked to nature for something that traveled far of its own accord. Flight may have been out of the question for now, but light was all around him. By using multiple angled mirrors, he was able to focus the sun’s rays on a single point. Similar to the way a magnifying glass burns ants, Archimedes was able to torch ships and buildings!
Be like Archimedes
If necessity is the mother of all invention, curiosity is the father. Sometimes innovative processes can begin by simply asking the question “what if?” In the case of Archimedes, it encouraged him to explore basic principles already utilized by arrows and projectiles: in distance lies safety. The answer to your business’ problems doesn’t necessarily need to shake the foundation of the earth. Sometimes it just needs to be a little bigger so it can reach a little further.
Having trouble asking the right questions? Contact Alphidia today and find out how we can help you ask and answer the questions that will make your products remarkable.