Ancient Impossible (2015)

S1E5 Ancient Einsteins

Figures like Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, and Thomas Edison are celebrated for their brilliance, but many of their groundbreaking achievements owe a debt to the extraordinary thinkers of the ancient era. Much of our contemporary existence is rooted in the innovations of those who lived millennia ago. We explore the remarkable intellect of Archimedes, who could make water flow uphill and single-handedly haul a ship ashore. Discover Philon, the mastermind behind the first robot, and Ctesibius, a pioneer in pneumatic technology long before his time. Astonishingly, Heron of Alexandria created the first steam engine, along with automatic doors and vending machines! It’s fascinating to realize how much of our current technology hinges on the contributions of these "Ancient Einsteins."