18th-century mechanical volcano roars to life 250 years later

18th-century mechanical volcano roars to life 250 years later | ScienceDaily Science News from research organizations 18th-century mechanical volcano roars to life 250 years later Date: May 2, 2026 Source: University of Melbourne Summary: A centuries-old vision of a mechanical volcano has finally erupted into reality, as two University of Melbourne engineering students recreated a design first imagined in 1775 by volcanology enthusiast Sir William Hamilton. Drawing from an 18th-century watercolor and a preserved sketch, they used modern tools like LED lighting and electronic systems to simulate the glowing flows and explosive drama of Mount Vesuvius. Share: Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email FULL STORY The Mount Vesuvius artwork erupts into life thanks to modern technology and two University of Melbourne engineering students. Credit: University of Melbourne A mechanical artwork first imagined in 1775 to recreate the eruption of Italy's Mount Vesuvius has been brought to life for the first time, 250 years after it was conceived. The revival was made possible through modern technology and the creativity of two engineering students at the University of Melbourne. The original idea came from Sir William Hamilton, British ambassador to Naples and Sicily from 1765 to 1800, who was also deeply interested in volcanology. His concept blended artistic expression with mechanical design to capture the dramatic visual effects of a volcanic eruption. Inspired by the 1771 watercolor 'Night view of a current of lava' by British-Italian artist Pietro Fabris, the device was designed to use light and movement to mimic flowing lava and explosive bursts from Vesuvius. It remains uncertain whether Hamilton ever constructed the mechanism, but a detailed sketch preserved in the Bordeaux Municipal Library served as the foundation for its modern recreation. Reconstructing the Historic Vesuvius Device Dr. Richard Gillespie, Senior Curator in the Faculty of Engineering and Information T