Greek engineer Hero of Alexandria designs the first steam engine; it has a pedestal, an altar, and a rotating ball—but no practical use. French inventor Denis Papin builds a cooker that traps steam ...

When an inventor has a unit of measurement named after him, it's clear his work had more than a small impact on scientific and industrial progress. So it was for James Watt, whose Watt engine is often ...

In a world propelled by combustion engines, gas turbines and nuclear reactors, the steam engine may seem like a relic of the past. But without this game-changing invention, the modern world would be a ...

The steam engine is often credited as one of the most transformative inventions in human history. It laid the foundation for the Industrial Revolution, revolutionised transport, and shifted the ...

The evolution of the steam engine is among the milestones in the history of technology, transforming transport, industry, and society. While steam engines and pumps existed from the late 17th century, ...

Almost two millennia before the rest of humanity entered the industrial age, the Greek inventor Hero invented the steam engine, wind-powered machinery, and theories of light that couldn’t be improved ...

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Each Monday, this column turns a page in history to explore the discoveries, events and people ...