By: Claire Murray

FROM ROBOTICS TO ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY, SIMPLE MACHINES AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON HUMAN CIVILIZATION

Have you ever seen deep sea sci-fi flicks and wondered if underwater robotics really existed? Or have you wondered how, in real life, underwater oil drillers and scientists do their work?

Take a look for yourself at Explorit Science Center tomorrow from 1:00 to 3:00 pm and watch Tyler Schilling, president of Alstom Automation, demonstrate their newest underwater robot. This free program is part of Explorit's "Meet the Scientist" series.

Some visitors will have the chance to manipulate the underwater robotic arm. Learn about the telerobotic technologies, their underwater applications, and view actual video footage of underwater working robotics.

Don't miss out on this free and exciting program tomorrow with Tyler Schilling, of Alstom Automation, a world leader in telerobotic technology. Tomorrow's program at Explorit Science Center from 1:00 - 3:00 pm is sponsored by Union Bank of California.

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From building the newest robotic technologies to the building of the ancient pyramids in Egypt, many human advances are made possible by simple machines.  Delve into the world of this amazing technology to discover simple machines and how they make work easier at Explorit Science Center's exhibition, "Leave it to Levers...and Other Simple Machines."

How did ancient civilizations build those enormous pyramids?  Some of the largest pyramids in Egypt were built in 2600-2500BC, before machinery or iron tools were developed.  So, how were they able to build The Great Pyramid, tomb of the Pharaoh Khufu, which contains more than 2 million stone blocks averaging 2.3 metric tons each, and that originally stood 147m (481ft) high with a base covering about 13 acres?

They were built without the use of cranes, lifting tackle or without any of today's modern construction and earth moving machinery.  The ancient Egyptians built the pyramids using only simple machines and human/animal labor to construct one of the amazing seven wonders of the world.

Anthropologists can only speculate what tools these ancient civilizations used, but most scientists agree that the tools used incorporated the same types of simple machines that you can find at Explorit's current exhibition. 

Most likely these ancient people used a combination of copper chisels, as well as flint, quartz and diorite pounders, which all worked as wedges to shape and smooth the stones.  In addition, they used wooden crowbars/levers, sledges and rollers (a type of wheel) to transport the elements. 

It is believed that the use of levers, possibly in combination with large ramps (a type of incline plane), enabled the Egyptians to move the enormous stone blocks both vertically and horizontally . Some believe that workers used olive oil and water to decrease friction between blocks when moving.

The use of these levers and wheels was accompanied by manpower.  Scholars think that up to 100,000 men would work for 3-4 months each year of the building process.  They believe that farm laborers built the pyramids during periods when flood waters of the Nile covered the fields and made farming impossible.

Simple machines, which include levers, wedges, gears, wheels and axles, and inclined planes, have assisted humans and their physical work effort since our earliest ancestors. Attend Explorit's current exhibition and investigate for yourself how simple machines make work easier, and learn to recognize them in the world around us.

So bring your whole family to Explorit Science Center's current exhibition, "Leave it to Levers...and Other Simple Machines." You only have until December 5 to participate in this fun-filled family science experience. On November 11, Explorit will have extended public hours, from 1:00 - 4:30 pm, for the Veterans Day holiday.

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Explorit Science Center is located at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition is "Leave it to Levers...and Other Simple Machines." Public hours are Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday through Friday from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. Regular admission is $3; members, teachers (with school ID) and children under 4 are free.