It's so easy how is everyone so stupid. I'd invent the train afterward and drive around everyone saying "you're so fucking stupid I'm not even good at this and I did it".

  • TheCaconym [any]
    ·
    4 years ago

    If I time-traveled there and tried to do the same I imagine it'd start with a long and confused explanation to a blacksmith on what I need and end with either me exploding in a pink mist due to the boiler being improperly made, or me being burned by priests for being a witch in the end.

    Also, related: in ancient times they built aeolipiles - very basic steam power contraptions (used today to demonstrate steam power in schools), based on the writings of an Egyptian scientist more than 2 centuries before Christ Era. Historians aren't 100% on this but they're pretty sure they were simply seen as a curiosity or a temple marvel.

    • happybadger [he/him]
      hexagon
      ·
      4 years ago

      #1 I'd invent steel. It's iron and carbon. Everyone born before steel was automatically dumber than I am

      #2 If I saw Ctesibius I'd say "lmao put that on a wagon you idiot fuck I have to think of everything for you people" and then I'd invent cars.

      • Ryaina [she/her]
        ·
        4 years ago

        one does not simply invent steal.

        First, you have to invent high temerature ceramics to build a furnace, then you have to obtain a fule source that can get hot enough (typically coal, charcoal isn't enough, even with compressed air)

        and to work it you need to iteratively build up good tools.

      • Mardoniush [she/her]
        ·
        4 years ago

        Better off with Bronze at first because pre 1700 steel-making is shit outside a few specific places, most of which had shitty iron ore.

        Find a bell maker (or a cannon maker if late enough) and give them the recipe for Manganese Bronze. They'll know what to do

        • happybadger [he/him]
          hexagon
          ·
          4 years ago

          I'd literally go door-to-door explaining manganese bronze to these people like they're children and they still wouldn't make a better cannon than I could. I'm sitting here with the idea for the 8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37/41 in my head.