The third century B.C. mathematician Archimedes, who is best known for his strategic role in ancient warfare, once said:

"Give me a lever long enough and a place to stand, and I will move the world."

According to MSN's Researchers all but zap ancient death ray myth: Attempt to recreate Greek solar weapon creates smoke, but little else, an experiment to recreate the reflective method used by Archimedes to torch the Roman fleet has failed.