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 ...

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, ...

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 ...

Technology tends to have a way of becoming smaller as it evolves. The ever-convenient microchip and lithium-ion battery serve in tandem as the brains of so many devices today, and their sleek and ...