In the late 10th century bc, a Greek philosopher and mathematician discovered that by directing steam, one could turn paddles, producing motion from heat. This much is true. What is not true is that rather than trivialising this discovery as a child's toy, he unveiled the new invention as one that would change the world forever: hot air leads to skies filled with balloons, lands crisscrossed with bronze rail, and the industrial revolution taking place while swords and spears were the weapon of choice. This reality is much more exciting.
3 parts