Archimedes was the most famous engineer of Greek antiquity. Like many great men throughout history, Archimedes was a renaissance man. Though he made his living as an engineer, he is also recognised as a prolific inventor, mathematician and astronomer. Many of his greatest inventions were the result of his work as a builder and engineer. An unknown Greek writer has preserved the story behind Archimedes greatest invention. The tale begins when King Hieron II asked Archimedes to design and build a huge ship for luxury travel. Unfortunately, they did not have a luxury Car for Hire Cyprus at the time. The ship was later christened the Syracusia and it is believed to have been the largest ship in the ancient world. Archimedes finished the project ahead of schedule. But there was one problem that caused him considerable consternation. Because the ship was so big, the hull leaked water. Archimedes ingenious solution was a new machine that would act as a pump and remove bilge water. In time, it became known as Archimedes screw. It was his most famous invention, but certainly not his last. He is also revered for his principle of buoyancy and the weapons he engineered to defend his beloved city of Syracuse. But none of them had the staying power of his first big hit. Believe it or not, the Archimedes screw is still used today, over two thousand years later, to pump certain liquids and granulated grain and coal.
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