Archimedes (3rd cent. B.C.) is the greatest inventor of all times. Apart from his treatise which he bequeathed to the civilisations of the ancient world in the field of Mathematics, Geometry, Physics, Astronomy, Engineering, Hydraulics, Architecture, Ship-building, etc., he devised a number of inventions, some of which are still used today, others continue to amaze us while yet others were bestowed upon him with compliments or belonged to legend and imagination.
According to the ancient writers, the war machines he invented for the defense of Syracuse were so effective that even when a simple wooden stick was raised from the walls, the Romans retreated in panic.