In the Hellenistic period inventors, such as Ktesibius, Philo, etc., created many remarkable high-tech gadgets. Their aim was to meet the numerous and diversified needs of the developed society, such as the wealthy upper class’s consumerism, the need to attract visitors to the market using the art of sensationalism, the interest of the clergy in magical devices and the research for educational instruments for the students of Technical Schools. Dozens of smart microappliances survive in the book “Pneumatica” written by Philon of Byzantium and the work of Heron of Alexandria, such as an ingenious wine-jug, a device to “convert” water into wine, an automatic goblet, a self-powered fountain, a door alarm system, etc.
