Archimedes

Revolutionary ancient mathematician and inventor

Archimedes of Syracuse (287-212 BCE) established foundational principles in mathematics and physics that shaped technological development for millennia. His discovery of buoyancy principles (Archimedes' Principle) revolutionized naval architecture, while the Archimedes Screw remains used in irrigation today.

He calculated pi's approximation (between 3.1408 and 3.1429) using polygons, a breakthrough in geometry. His Method of Mechanical Theorems anticipated integral calculus by 2,000 years. During the Siege of Syracuse, he designed revolutionary war machines including:

• Claw devices to capsize ships
• Parabolic mirror heat rays (debated)
• Improved catapult systems

Archimedes' On the Sphere and Cylinder established that sphere's volume is 2/3 of its circumscribed cylinder - later carved on his tomb. His death cry "Do not disturb my circles" symbolizes devotion to scientific inquiry.

Modern applications of his work include: