Archimedes

           Archimedes was born in Syracuse, Sicily in 287 B.C.  His father, Phidias, was an astronomer. Archimedes traveled to Egypt.  While he was there he invented Archimedes’ screw.  This was a device that was used to raise water.  He also invented a pump that is still being used in parts of the world today. 

            Conon of Samos, was another friend of Archimedes.  He was a mathematician living in Alexandria.  Together they invented machines used for engines of war.  These machines were used when the Romans attacked Syracuse, and they helped Syracuse greatly. 

            King Heiron admired Archimedes and encouraged him to switch his focus to geometry.  Archimedes had amazing scientific knowledge.  He invented tools to help statisticians.  Archimedes is considered one of the best mathematicians of all times.  He started the study of math, discovered simple shapes, and examined rotating an ellipse by its major and minor axis.  He even authored a book, Measurement of a Circle, where he showed pi lies between the values of 3 10/71 and 3 1/7.    Archimedes’ friend, Heracleides, wrote a biography about him, however, it is a lost work   Archimedes died in Siciliy in 212 B.C.  

This is Archimedes' invention, The Archimedes' Screw.  In this picture a man is getting water out of a lake with it.