What specific coin was required for activation in Hero’s Greek water dispenser mechanism?
Answer
A five-drachma coin
The mechanical operation of Hero's device was precisely calibrated to a specific monetary input. For the system to initiate the dispensing process, a worshipper was required to insert a five-drachma coin into a designated slot. This coin's weight was crucial, as it landed on a pan or lever, providing the necessary physical force to depress that lever. This action was the trigger that allowed the valve to open, enabling the precise measure of holy water to flow out. The subsequent removal of the coin allowed the mechanism to reset, demonstrating a specific and non-negotiable monetary requirement tied to the operation.
Related Questions
What engineer designed the first coin-operated device for dispensing holy water automatically?What specific coin was required for activation in Hero’s Greek water dispenser mechanism?What principles powered Hero’s automated dispenser, contrasting with later vending technology?What was the primary purpose of Hero’s transactional automation device in the temples?Which of Hero's known works documents his numerous inventions, including the dispenser?What mechanical components did later vending machines, appearing in the 1800s, utilize that Hero's device lacked?Where was Hero of Alexandria's mechanical dispenser specifically installed to function?Approximately how long did the gap span between Hero’s dispenser and the next documented commercial vending machines?What factor is suggested as a reason the idea of transactional automation lay dormant for so long?In England during the early 1800s, what items were dispensed by the first known mechanical vending machines on steamships?