How did people come up with the idea of aeolipiles?

The concept of the aeolipile, often considered the first steam engine, dates back to ancient Greece, attributed to Hero of Alexandria in the 1st century AD. It was likely inspired by observations of steam and gases produced during boiling water, leading to the realization that steam could create rotational motion. The aeolipile used steam pressure to spin a hollow sphere, demonstrating the principles of propulsion and energy conversion. Its design showcased early experimentation with harnessing steam for mechanical work, paving the way for future advancements in engineering.