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 ...

The introduction of several advanced, efficient, and more robust power options over the years has largely overshadowed steam engine technology. However, it was a revolutionary technology that, upon ...

To minimize the risk of fire, the steam engines burned charcoal briquettes instead of coal. The charcoal burns hot and does not put out hot cinders like a coal-burning engine, although the engines ...