Thermostats were invented by the Dutch genius Cornelis Drebbel (aka de rebel) around 1600, based on alchemical principles. This cybernetic alchemist also inven

Thermostats were invented by the Dutch genius Cornelis Drebbel (aka de rebel) around 1600, based on alchemical principles. This cybernetic alchemist also invented functional air conditioning, a perpetual motion machine (wound a clock powered by daily changes in barometric pressure), solar powered fountains and the first functional submarine (along with torpedos). I have a full sized replica of his wooden submarine in Amsterdam. He also invented a mechanism for generating oxygen — necessary for the rowers, of course. His thermostat was used to incubate eggs. It appeared in Chinese literature, with illustrations, within 50 years. https://drebbel.net/2013%20Drebbels%20Athanor.pdf https://drebbel.net/2013%20Drebbels%20Athanor.pdf This is pre steampunk — alchemy-punk? Both Shakespeare and Ben Johnson wrote plays with characters based on Drebbel. He also invented magic lanterns (projection devices) and camera obscures for painters. He was widely discussed by members of the Royal Society, but had been generally forgotten. Largely because a few early Dutch scientists thought he was a charlatan.