Kollegala Sharma is a renowned science communicator and prolific Kannada writer, celebrated for making science accessible through articles, books, radio dramas, podcasts, and translations. A former chief scientist at CSIR-CFTRI Mysore, he has received prestigious awards for his exceptional contributions, including pioneering India’s first Kannada science podcast and editing the state’s popular science magazine, Kutuhali.
In this conversation (in English), we discuss what motivates him to do what he does so well…communicate science…
Thomas Alva Edison was one of the greatest inventors we know about. Sometime ago, I stumbled upon a book titled THE DIARY AND OBSERVATIONS OF THOMAS ALVA EDISON, and it was an interesting read. In there, we obtain an insight into Edison’s view on many different subjects, including education, work, religion, etc. Edison was a person with strong views. His working methods were unconventional. Here are a few interesting facts I learnt from this book:
1) Edison had to recruit many executives to his labs; he always emphasized on a memory test and gave them a questionnaire to answer. He insisted that memory is very important for decision making, and he usually employed those people who had very good memory. Edison wrote “…Certainly the brain should have the facts. If a brain possesses an enormous number of facts, those facts, through action of the subconscious mind, will automatically keep themselves available when needed and will automatically keep themselves out of the way, not interfering when not required.”
2) Edison’s view on education was interesting and bold for his times, and he believed that learning through movies would be vital for future education. As early as the 1890s, he said that the best way to teach geography is either by taking the student on a tour or by showing them a movie. Edison wrote
“…motion pictures can be applied to a scientific, systematic course of memory training in the schools, taking the children at an early age when the mind is plastic enough to adapt itself most readily to new habit of thought.
Most of our text books fail on two big counts. They are not sufficiently human, and their application is not sufficiently practical”
3) In the following lines, Edison gives an insight into how he worked: “When I want to discover something, I begin by reading up everything that has been done along that line in the past-that’s what all these books in the library are for. I see what has been accomplished at great labor and expense in the past. I gather the data of many thousands of experiments as a starting point, and then I make thousands more.”
“ …..The motive that I have for inventing is, I guess, like the motive of the billiard player, who always wants to do a little better-to add to his record. Under present conditions I use the reasonable profit which I derive from one invention to make experiments looking towards another invention…..”
4) Edison rates the phonograph as his greatest discovery. He writes, “Which do I consider my greatest invention ? Well, my reply to that would be that I like the phonograph best. Doubtless this is because I love music. And then it has brought so much joy into millions of homes all over this country, and , indeed, all over the world.”
5) The following quotation by Joshua Reynolds was hung in every room of Edison’s laboratory “ There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real labor of thinking”
There are many more fascinating thoughts of Edison, many agreeable and a few disagreeable ones, in the above-mentioned book, and if you happen to find it, read it through…it’s a classic and insightful read.
The above text is from a 2011 post on my old blog.
Below is a small experiment with ChatGPT (GPT-4o, which is OpenAI’s most advanced model as of July 2025).
I asked for thoughts (from authentic sources) from Indian writers on the nature of the writing process (handwriting vs typewriting).
It confidently gave me quotations from Rabindranath Tagore, R.K. Narayan and U.R. Ananthmurthy. I was intrigued, and below is my conversation:
me: list the quotes from Indian writers above and give the exact sources
Chatgpt: I couldn’t find reputable sources for the exact quotes I previously suggested by Indian writers—so it’s safer to reconsider them.
This is something I have been observing with LLM chatboxes, especially when it comes to the sources that may not be mainstream. One may even say it is hallucinating, but after enquiring further, it said:
The quotes I initially provided appear to be popular paraphrases or second-hand interpretations, but none could be verified in primary texts or reliable interviews.
Then, it asked me if I wanted to use authentic sources to be presented to corroborate the initially mentioned sources. I said yes, and below was its reply:
Here are verified quotes from Rabindranath Tagore, with clear attributions to reliable sources—unfortunately, I couldn’t locate authenticated quotes for other Indian writers on writing methods
The quotes that it gave were peripheral to my initial question. It identified two to three quotations, but none of them were directly connected to my initial query.
There may be at least 2 hypotheses that I can draw from this, which need further testing:
ChatGPT and its kind may be getting trained more intensely on sources that are mainly anglophonic, and its geographical distribution of sources may be skewed. Online literary sources from countries such as India may not be as dense as, say USA, the UK or even some European countries. Will depositing more authentic sources online, including their translations, help the authentic discovery of information from countries such as India?
With the current developments and model training, there may already be a bias in the answers that LLM chatbots give. It may reinforce many viewpoints from Western repositories that may sometimes be disconnected or irrelevant to the user outside Western geographies. In that sense, new information is being built on old information. Are we entering a stage where data deposition asymmetry is creating an asymmetry of discovery?
I know these questions are not trivial to answer, but for LLM chatboxes to be authentic, they need to address questions with proper citations. I know some of them are trying to do that (eg, perplexity AI), but I find the links it provides for certain focused questions are not up to the mark.
My inference:
I am cautiously optimistic about the developments and achievements in source-based LLM interfaces, especially when you feed an authentic source (eg, NotebookLM).
But LLM chatboxes may be hyped when:
It comes to its capability of sourcing authentic information, and
The immediacy of replacements of existing knowledge systems.
LLM chatboxes should be treated as an experimental tool for utilitarian tasks where the information can be verified independently.
It is important to take the bottom line of ChatGPT seriously: ‘ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.‘
Dr. Vipul Dutta is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IIT Guwahati. He holds a PhD from King’s College London, specializing in diplomatic and economic history. His research interests include South Asian diplomatic and military history as well as Indian business history. His monograph, Making Officers out of Gentlemen (2021), explores the development of military institutions in colonial and post-colonial India. At IIT Guwahati, he teaches modern Indian history and business history, including the NPTEL course Indian Business History. His teaching approach is interdisciplinary, drawing on case studies to connect historical themes with contemporary issues.
In this episode, we explore his intellectual journey so far.
In this episode, we discuss Shubashree’s journey from earning a PhD in physics to building a career in science journalism. She talks about her experiences writing for The Hindu and her current role as Associate Editor at IIT Madras’ Shaastra magazine. As a national award-winning journalist, Shubashree shares insights into making scientific ideas accessible to a wider audience, the challenges she has faced in the field, and her advice for aspiring science writers. This conversation explores her career transition, the role of science communication, and the importance of clarity in sharing scientific knowledge.
The Greco-Roman era, which extended across various parts of Europe and Egypt, had a profound influence on the development of knowledge and architectural construction. During this period, there was a notable interaction between manual labor and intellectual inquiry, culminating in the emergence of mechanics as a significant domain of human knowledge. While written texts often addressed mechanics from an abstract perspective, construction activities and the use of small machines embodied their practical applications.
Take, for example, the lever: a device with direct, practical utility in a wide range of contexts. A deeper exploration of such a device reveals foundational concepts in mechanics and mechanical engineering. This established an important two-way relationship between abstract theory and practical implementation, a mode of thinking most clearly exemplified in the works of Hero of Alexandria.
Hero’s writings were closely linked to mechanics and mechanical engineering[1], and the knowledge he produced spread across Europe and the Arabic world. He was deeply influenced by Archimedes, frequently referencing his works across multiple treatises. In doing so, Hero consolidated earlier knowledge and repurposed it for a variety of mechanical applications. He is also credited with creating what is now considered one of the earliest forms of the steam engine using a simple pneumatic device[2].
He was also indirectly influenced by Aristotelian thought; traces of Aristotle’s Mechanica can be observed in Hero’s approach and conceptual framework. A central feature of Hero’s work lies in the foundational principles through which he analyzed mechanical devices. Specifically, he focused on five fundamental mechanical elements: the wheel and axle, lever, pulley, wedge, and screw. Hero sought to relate these devices to a core geometrical principle: the circle, and further connected them to the concept of balance. This integration of geometric abstraction with practical devices was at the heart of Hero’s methodology, making him one of the earliest thinkers to approach mechanics as both a physicist and an engineer.
Another significant aspect of his work is his use of models[1], which provided new insights into the operation and design of mechanical systems. During that period, understanding how large weights could be moved using relatively small forces, such as through the use of a lever, posed a conceptual and practical challenge. Addressing this challenge led to deeper investigations into balance and the principles underlying mechanical advantage.
At the center of these intellectual developments was Hero of Alexandria. His work exemplifies the dual nature of mechanics as both an intellectual pursuit and a practical tool. Hero’s influence helped shape the treatment of mechanics as a cornerstone of ancient scientific and technological achievement. In many ways, he unified physics and technology on a single conceptual platform, offering a distinctive way of understanding natural phenomena and applying that understanding toward practical ends.
2. About Hero – Hero’s Time and Place
Let us now examine the details concerning Hero of Alexandria. As with many ancient historical figures, it is quite difficult to determine the exact dates of his life[3]. However, there is a general scholarly consensus that he lived sometime between the 1st and 2nd centuries CE in the city of Alexandria, located in present-day Egypt.
During this era, Alexandria was under the rule of Greek authorities, and the period is typically characterized by Greco-Roman influence, often referred to as the Hellenistic period. Interestingly, one of the methods by which Hero’s era has been dated involves a lunar eclipse recorded in his book Dioptra. This particular eclipse occurred on March 13, 62 CE, and scholars think[3] this observation provides a useful temporal marker for situating Hero in history.
Little is known about his personal life, aside from the fact that he lived and worked at the University of Alexandria. This conclusion is largely inferred from the numerous books he authored, which correspond closely with the scientific and technological knowledge of that time. With regard to intellectual influences, it is clear from his writings that Hero received a thorough education in Greek literature available up to that period.
In particular, his works frequently reference those of Archimedes. There is also an indirect influence of Aristotelian thought, although explicit references to Aristotle are less common than those to Archimedes. It is important to note that Archimedes’ contributions had a profound influence on scientific thought for generations, and Hero of Alexandria was no exception.
What is particularly fascinating about Hero is that he not only demonstrated a deep understanding of Archimedean work but also possessed considerable knowledge of devices and simple machines available in his time[4]. Alongside these intellectual currents, Hero was also influenced by Ctesibius of Alexandria. His writings exhibit a connection to this earlier Greek scholar, and some scholars even speculate that Hero may have been a student of Ctesibius.
It is worth noting that the transmission of influence from older scholars to later ones was largely facilitated through published works. Given that the University of Alexandria was a renowned center of learning, it is unsurprising that Hero of Alexandria was familiar with the work of many earlier scholars.
3. His Books – Hero’s Published Works
From the existing literature, Hero of Alexandria is associated with fourteen texts, of which eight are directly attributed to him, while six other works are associated with him with less certainty[1]. Among these works, his books on Pneumatica, Metrica, and Mechanics have garnered significant attention. In the context of Pneumatica, the subject pertains to the pressure of air, water, and steam, and their applications for various purposes, including entertainment.
Mechanica, of course, covers simple devices and machines, and this work is primarily preserved in the Arabic language. It is generally attributed to a few scholars from a later period. There is also an interesting piece of work titled Automata, in which automatic machines of that time are discussed in the context of mechanics and the associated engineering. It is the Metrica that is associated with the calculation of volumes of various solids and certain planes and surfaces, which has drawn considerable attention and has become a well-known source of information.
Of course, Hero also worked on war machines, and this particular work is available in Greek. The lifting of weights was a major technical challenge during that era, and Hero of Alexandria naturally approached this problem from the standpoint of mechanics. Many of his works, including Pneumatica and Mechanica, contain elaborate discussions on various forms of weights and the techniques for lifting them.
This, obviously, is associated with the engineering tasks necessary for constructing the architectural works of that period. Another interesting aspect of Hero’s work is associated with geometry, especially through the work titled Geometrica. He also investigated calculations related to three-dimensional objects, which show a close connection to measurement principles relevant not only to devices but also to surveying landscapes and measuring distances, including those associated with human constructions such as tunnels.
There are a few works associated with definitions of mathematical entities, and their attribution remains debated. Nevertheless, all this evidence indicates a prolific intellectual life of Hero of Alexandria, and many scholars attribute this productive authorship to his position as a teacher at the University of Alexandria. For example, if one examines certain works such as Pneumatica, the instructional style in such books appears to resemble manuals for students to gain an overview of devices.
Also, the discussions are not very terse, and many scholars interpret this as a recap for students who are advancing their knowledge in mechanics and related problems. It is noteworthy that the entire body of work suggests that Hero of Alexandria not only had a strong command over mechanical machines but also possessed the ability to think in abstract terms. This is evident from his writings related to mathematics.
Such a combination of application and abstraction is one of the most significant features of Hero of Alexandria.
4. Pneumatica
Now let us look at some specific works of Hero of Alexandria, beginning with Pneumatica. The word pneuma means “wind” in Greek. The adjective essentially refers to something that contains or operates using air or gas under certain pressure. In this context, Hero’s Pneumatica describes various aspects related to the utility of air and gases for mechanical motion.
Figure 1 Drawing of an Aeolipile
The theme of this work is fascinating because it is not an abstract or purely theoretical exposition on mechanics or mechanical engineering. Rather, it is directly connected to small devices used for a variety of purposes, including entertainment. Among these are descriptions of several toys, such as birds that sing, coin-operated machines, and what is probably the first vending machine recorded in literature[2].
Among the many devices discussed, the one that has particularly captured the attention of historians of science is a device called the aeolipile[2], [5]. This is considered a prototype of the earliest steam engine. It operates using steam generated by boiling water in a kettle. The kettle is connected to a sphere with two nozzles. When the water boils, the steam enters the sphere and causes it to rotate.
The key aspect of this design is that the sphere is connected to a horizontally placed shaft. As the steam exits the nozzles, it causes the sphere to spin, thereby converting thermal energy into mechanical motion. This device has drawn the interest of many historians studying the origins of steam engines, as it represents one of the earliest known examples of thermal-to-mechanical energy conversion[2], [5].
The book itself contains fascinating descriptions of miniature devices adapted for various uses, including magic shows and theatre productions. Unlike some of Hero’s other writings, Pneumatica reads more like a manual for operating small devices, with concise and practical descriptions rather than theoretical elaboration. The quality of the diagrams in this work is particularly notable and has attracted considerable attention from historians.
One of the best-known surviving translations[6] of this work is by the Englishman Bennet Woodcroft, published in 1851 (Figure 2). This translation has become a standard reference for scholars seeking to understand the nature of Hero’s contributions. It highlights Hero’s practical orientation, which is quite distinctive among scholars of his stature.
Figure 2. An English translation of Hero’s book on Pneumatics
In comparison, the works of Archimedes and his immediate followers are generally more rigorous and focused on mathematical applications. Most of them do not discuss simple or seemingly trivial devices in the manner that Hero does in Pneumatica. Nevertheless, it is important to emphasize that Hero was deeply influenced by Archimedes. Many of the devices described in this book are based on principles associated with Archimedes and his pioneering work.
This is characteristic of Greek scholars, who regarded Archimedes as one of the earliest scientists to understand the natural world through systematic mathematics and physical models. In some of Hero’s other works, one sees this intellectual lineage in action, combining abstract analysis with practical application. This synthesis of theoretical and applied thinking positions Hero as a pioneer in engineering mechanics. Many of the devices he designed continue to be of great interest to both engineers and artists.
In this light, Pneumatica offers a compelling insight into Hero’s intellectual curiosity and his pedagogical intent, particularly in presenting devices to students through detailed and accessible instruction manuals.
5. Mechanica
Next, let us consider an overview of Hero’s book titled Mechanica. This work comprises three volumes, and the surviving text is available only in an Arabic translation. Some scholars believe that the content may have undergone certain alterations during the process of translation and transmission.
One of the earliest references to Mechanica dates to around 300 CE, made by Pappus of Alexandria, in a discussion on heavy weights and the methods used to lift them. The book is strongly grounded in principles originally proposed by Archimedes. It presents several mechanical principles with a degree of abstraction.
The concept of the balance, its theoretical foundations, and its relationship to various mechanical devices, such as pulleys, screws, and the wheel and axle, are discussed in considerable detail. A distinctive feature of this book is its treatment of the transportation of heavy objects using mechanical aids, as well as the application of the concept of the center of gravity to various solid forms and shapes.
The text includes a significant degree of abstraction and presents a theory of motion that provides insights into Hero’s understanding of mechanics and mechanical engineering. In this work, Hero refers to Archimedes as many as ten times, indicating a deep intellectual debt. Moreover, scholars have observed that Hero’s approach is indirectly influenced by Aristotelian perspectives on mechanical motion.
A notable aspect of the book is its emphasis on connecting abstract mechanical principles with practical applications. Devices such as the lever, pulley, wheel and axle, and various forms of screws are examined in depth. In this respect, Mechanica can be seen as an early treatise in engineering physics, serving as a key reference for understanding ancient mechanics and mechanical engineering.
The book’s content also reflects the context of the Hellenistic period, which was marked by elaborate construction projects. The principles and techniques discussed in Mechanica have potential relevance to these large-scale engineering efforts.
Finally, Mechanica exhibits strong intellectual continuity with Hero’s other works and shares conceptual commonalities with a few additional sources. This cohesion underscores Hero’s broader contribution to the understanding and development of mechanics in antiquity.
6. Other Works
Let us now consider a few other works of Hero of Alexandria. First among them is Metrica, a collection of three books and arguably the most well-known of his works. This text is primarily concerned with measurement and geometry and includes an elaborate discussion of what is now known as Hero’s formula—a well-known result in elementary geometry for calculating the area of a triangle given the lengths of its sides[7].
Metrica also explores the computation of square roots using iterative methods, a topic with significant applications in basic mathematics. The work focuses on the ability to perform measurements, including the calculation of volumes of solids such as Platonic solids and other fundamental geometric shapes. Ratios form another important aspect of the discussion, with solids considered in terms of divisions by arbitrary ratios, providing a geometric perspective on their structure.
The next important work is Dioptra, which deals with the measurement of length. It includes a discussion of the instrument known as the dioptra[8], which is directly related to surveying instruments that continue to be used in modified forms even today.
An interesting section of this work also discusses the odometer, a device used to measure the distance traveled by a moving object. This provides one of the earliest known references to such a device and highlights Hero’s interest in practical instrumentation.
Another fascinating work is Automata, in which Hero discusses automatic machines in great detail. This text is associated with the domains of magic, theatre, and mechanical marvels that were designed to captivate observers. There is extensive discussion on automatic doors and related architectural mechanisms, which were likely employed in temples or public spaces during Hero’s time. The work also includes ingenious systems for pouring and transporting liquids automatically, illustrating Hero’s advanced understanding of fluid mechanics and automation.
Taken together, these works reflect the rich intellectual repertoire of Hero of Alexandria. At the core of all his writings is a deep engagement with mechanics, approached both abstractly and practically. In this light, Hero’s contributions are of immense significance, offering valuable insights into the interplay between theory and application in ancient science and engineering.
7. Conclusion
Hero of Alexandria, embodied ancient human thought process that mixed physics and technology for intellectual and practical purposes. In a way, he laid the foundation to harness mechanics for practical applications and built on ideas proposed and utilised by great thinkers such as Archimedes and his followers. It is quite remarkable that a person of that era could come up with such interesting innovations for not only practical applications, but also for teaching and demonstrations for the public. Credit should also be given to the followers and students of Hero, who took his work forward and spread it across the world. Perhaps that is the best way to leave a legacy, by learning, creating and sharing knowledge.
REFERENCES:
[1] M. J. Schiefsky, “Theory and Practice in Heron’S Mechanics,” in Mechanics and Natural Philosophy Before the Scientific Revolution, W. R. Laird and S. Roux, Eds., Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, 2008, pp. 15–49. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4020-5967-4_1.
[3] R. Masia, “On dating Hero of Alexandria,” Arch. Hist. Exact Sci., vol. 69, no. 3, pp. 231–255, 2015.
[4] A. G. (Aage G. Drachmann, The mechanical technology of Greek and Roman antiquity, a study of the literary sources. Copenhagen, Munksgaard; Madison, University of Wisconsin Press, 1963. Accessed: Jun. 11, 2025. [Online]. Available: http://archive.org/details/mechanicaltechno0000unse
[5] P. D. Bardis, “Hero, the Da Vinci of Alexandria: His Aeolosphaera and Other Inventions,” Sch. Sci. Math., vol. 65, no. 6, pp. 535–542, 1965, doi: 10.1111/j.1949-8594.1965.tb13497.x.
[6] H. (of Alexandria.), The Pneumatics of Hero of Alexandria: From the Original Greek. Charles Whittingham, 1851.
Cover of ‘Absorption and Scattering of Light by Small Particles’ by Craig F. Bohren and Donald R. Huffman.
It is important to read good books. Astrophysics, quantum mechanics, and gravity (including attempts to combine them with quantum mechanics) have been at the forefront in terms of popular physics imagination. These are wonderful subtopics of physics, but there are a few others that need equal emphasis. So, here is my attempt to fill this gap with some book recommendations.
The first one in the optics community is just called ‘Bohren and Huffman’ and is one of the best technical books I have read and continue to read. It is humorous and filled with wonderful insights that still engage researchers and students alike.
Craig Bohren, a theoretical physicist, is a wonderful writer, and you will see more of his books discussed here.
The book introduces the scattering matrix from a ‘light scattering’ viewpoint, and has a direct connection to laboratory measurements.
Humour is one of the key aspects of this book (as with others from Bohren), and the title of chapter 8 gives a nice glimpse: “A Potpourri of Particles”
There is a famous section in Chapter 11 with the heading – “Extinction = Absorption + Scattering” that wonderfully explains the physics behind it.
Overall, an outstanding book for understanding optics from an electromagnetics viewpoint and also to learn how electromagnetism is harnessed to understand interactions at the classical spatio-temporal scales.
Read this if you are interested in physics…It is a delight!
Even today, as a professor of physics, and importantly as a student of physics, I go back to his lecture series to learn AND derive inspiration from his thinking. He made physics more humane.
Many people across the globe have fallen in love with physics because of his books and the ‘way he did physics’
Feynman was a physics genius, but he had his flaws. It is important for us to note the limitations of human beings; celebrate what is good, and be aware and critical of what is not.
Duff’s famous physics textbook from 1900 (5th edition) owned by YukawaYukawa’s name on the bookHideki Yukawa’s picture on the Nobel website
Apart from sipping the wonderful Japanese coffee and exploring the streets of Kyoto on foot, I have been looking into the archives of Kyoto University. I am mainly searching for records and books related to their physics department, and obviously, one of the names that pops out very often is Hideki Yukawa.
Yukawa was one of the Nobel laureates from this university. He obtained his Nobel Prize in Physics in 1949 for his prediction of the existence of mesons on the basis of theoretical work on nuclear forces. He is a big name in physics, and there is a physical potential named after him, which means one can understand the intellectual heft he carries as a physicist. Yukawa spent most of his scientific career at Kyoto, specifically at the Kyoto Imperial University (now, no more imperial :-) ), and is regarded as one of the inspirations for a battery of many excellent theoretical physicists to have emerged out of not only Kyoto but also Japan, and perhaps many parts of the world. While looking through the archival records, I came across one of the textbooks owned by Yukawa, which has his signature on it. It made my day !
The textbook titled “A Text-Book of Physics,” edited by A. Wilmer Duff, is a classic. Yukawa had the 5th edition (1921), and this book went on to have 3 more editions. I hope to write more about this particular textbook because the author, Wilmer Duff, had a connection to Madras University (as a Professor) in India and was also on the faculty of my post-doc alma mater – Purdue University !
The scientific world is a small place with unanticipated, wonderful connections :-)
