University Students Recreate Sir William Hamilton's 18th-Century Mechanical Volcano

Sat, 02 May 2026 20:31:00 +0200

Two engineering students at the University of Melbourne have successfully recreated a mechanical volcano originally envisioned by Sir William Hamilton in 1775. Drawing from Hamilton's preserved sketches and an 18th-century watercolor by Pietro Fabris, the students combined modern technologies, including programmable LED lighting, electronic control systems, and laser-cut materials, to simulate the glowing lava flows and explosive effects of Mount Vesuvius. While it remains uncertain whether Hamilton ever constructed his original design, the project has provided significant educational value. Guided by Dr. Richard Gillespie and supervised by research engineer Andrew Kogios, students Xinyu (Jasmine) Xu and Yuji (Andy) Zeng honed skills in programming, electronics, and mechanical engineering while adapting the historical clockwork concept for contemporary audiences. The finished device is now the centerpiece of The Grand Tour exhibition at the University's Baillieu Library, on display unt