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The idea that the Roman Empire was on the verge of an Industrial Revolution on par with the 19th and 20th centuries is a bit overblow: https://acoup.blog/2022/0
by hvs 4y ago
The idea that the Roman Empire was on the verge of an Industrial Revolution on par with the 19th and 20th centuries is a bit overblow: https://acoup.blog/2022/08/26/collections-why-no-roman-industrial-revolution/ https://acoup.blog/2022/08/26/collections-why-no-roman-indus...
- beambot 4y agoFascinating article... But when you consider that the driving initial application was pumping water (out of coal mines), you have to acknowledge that pumping water would've also been a major concern for the Romans too -- i.e. hydrology and aquaducts
- boomboomsubban 4y agoYes, but transporting coal is harder than pumping water, at least until you get a relatively efficient engine.
- yellowapple 4y agoNot sure I buy the article's explanation. It seems to hinge on the Industrial Revolution being dependent on coal, which was dependent on a use case for coal, which was powering Spinning Jennies at scale... but it was always my understanding that the invention of the Spinning Jenny was "the" start of the Industrial Revolution, and in any case the article just punts the question: what stopped the Romans from inventing the Spinning Jenny or something comparable? Surely the Roman textile market would've warranted it, no?