A hydraulis is an early type of pipe organ that operated by converting the dynamic energy of water (hýdōr in Greek) into air pressure to drive the pipes. Hence its name hydraulis, literally "water (driven) pipe (instrument)." It is attributed to the Hellenistic scientist Ctesibius of Alexandria, an engineer of the 3rd century BC. See more about the Hydraulis and its further development in pipe organ.

Hydraulis as world's first keyboard instrument

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The hydraulis was the world's first keyboard instrument, and was, in fact the predecessor of the modern church organ.

Hydro-powered pipe organs

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To the extent that waterfalls are often now used to produce the electricity that runs the air compressors and blowers in modern pipe organs, a modern pipe organ is a water organ in the sense that a waterfall such as Niagara Falls turns a turbine that produces the "hydro" to run the blower fan. The term "hydro" is slang for electricity, and we often speak of the "hydro meter" when we refer to our electricity bill, and to the electricity we use to power modern pipe organs.

External links

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• About the Ancient Hydraulis (from the Archaeology Channel)

Organ (music)

Hydraulis | Vannorgel