4 ms·
Concrete is really useful. We lost it for 1,300 years. Calculus is really really useful. We figured out the basics, and then lost them for 2 millennia.[1] Flexi
by nkoren 9y ago
Concrete is really useful. We lost it for 1,300 years. Calculus is really really useful. We figured out the basics, and then lost them for 2 millennia.[1] Flexible glass would be really useful. We apparently had it, then lost it, and never got it back.[2]
1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedes_Palimpsest#The_Method_of_Mechanical_Theorems https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedes_Palimpsest#The_Meth...
2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flexible_glass https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flexible_glass
- Retric 9y agoCalculus was not lost as many original texts where preserved, however it was of limited use prior to Algebra being invited. Gothic cathedrals demonstrate a much more advanced practical matimatics than available to the Romeans. Who again could gather and transport resources over vast areas, but had a very low standard of living for the population on average. Flexible glass was likely a tall tale instead of an actual thing with a several versions of the story existing, but no actual use of the substance. Concrete was in continuous but limited use for the period your referring to. The limitation was transportation networks not knowledge.