History Notes = The Heat Ray

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Early Lasers

Going by the work of the 2nd century AD author Lucia, Archimedes destroyed enemy ships with fire during the Siege of Syracuse. Centuries later, this weapon was mentioned as “Burning glasses”, by Anthemius of Tralles. This device is also known as “Archimedes heat ray”. Sunlight was focused on the approaching ships with the help of this device and the ships caught fire.

The credibility of this device has, however, always been a matter of debate since the Renaissance. It has been rejected as false by René Descartes whereas modern researchers emphasize that the effect could be recreated. It is suggested that large array of highly polished bronze or copper shields might have been used and they would have acted as mirrors to focus sunlight onto a ship.

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