The Archimedes screw can move water uphill using only gravity and rotation
The Archimedes screw uses a rotating helical blade to lift large volumes of water uphill, a 3rd-century BC invention that remains vital for modern irrigation and drainage.
Invented by the polymath Archimedes in the 3rd century BC, the screw pump revolutionized agriculture by allowing water to be moved against the force of gravity. The device consists of a helical blade inside a hollow cylinder; when the screw is rotated—traditionally by a person or an ox—it traps pockets of water and carries them upward along the spiral. To achieve maximum efficiency, Archimedes determined a specific 1:6 pitch-to-diameter ratio, which minimized backflow and maximized the volume of water lifted.
There's more to this story — open the app to keep reading.