The Wind-Sphere Ship

by Steven R. Southard

Heron of Alexandria, in the 1st Century A.D., invented a primitive steam engine he called an aeolipile, or "wind-sphere." Persuaded by his friend Praxiteles, he used this engine to propel a ship. If his steam-ship could beat a man-rowed galley in a race, could Heron bring about the Industrial Revolution 1700 years early? The action never ebbs in this tale of friendship, technological vision, and one of history's missed opportunities. Let the race begin!

25 pages, ebook

First published August 10, 2010

About the author

I write science fiction intended to make readers feel like they’ve solved a challenging problem or taken an adventurous voyage along with my characters. I've written in several genres, including science fiction, steampunk, historical, alternate history, horror, and fantasy.

My short stories appear in over a dozen anthologies. Fourteen others form the What Man Hath Wrought series. I co-edited the following anthologies: 20,000 Leagues Remembered; Extraordinary Visions, Stories Inspired by Jules Verne; and Ain’t Our First Rodeo.

Ideas prevalent in my works include submarines, the ocean, the evolution of technology, and how the past could have been different.

Feel free to dive into my website (where I’m known as Poseidon’s Scribe) at http://www.stevenrsouthard.com