File:Boyle air pump.jpg
Boyle's air pump

An air pump is a device for pushing air. Examples include a bicycle pump, pumps that are used to aerate an aquarium or a pond via an airstone; a gas compressor used to power a pneumatic tool, air horn or pipe organ; a bellows used to encourage a fire; a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum pump.

The first effective air pump constructed in England for scientific purposes was made in 1658 by Robert Hooke for Robert Boyle.[1]

References

  1. George Wilson (Jan 15th, 1849), "On the Early History of the Air-pump in England", Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=QNosAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA207