What are the Origins of the Screw and Auger ?

Today, the screw / auger is used in a wide variety of industries and in many different applications. So, where did it all begin?

Some believe in antiquity it was used for a screw pump in 7th century BC, by the King of Assyria, to move waters to the hanging Gardens of Babylon. Others believe that the screw / auger dates between 200 and 300 BC, when a Greek mathematician, Archimedes of Syracuse, used a screw designed to transfer liquid from a low lying body of water into irrigation ditches. The Archimedes screw pump, bearing his name, is still being used today for the movement of water, primarily in wastewater treatment

Screws were also employed throughout the Mediterranean world by the 1st century BC for oil and wine presses. Through the evolution of design and material construction, screws are still used for this purpose, as well as dewatering screw presses for anything from pulp and paper to biomass and sludges.

There are many industries that owe thanks to the early engineers, who over the centuries have improved the efficiency and processes in the wastewater, chemical, mining, materials handling, construction industries, and a host of others. Without a doubt, screws, augers and flighting are used effectively to improve the processing in a variety of applications. Over the coming months, Augersblog will explore many of the processes and applications in greater detail.