Skip to main content

It Runs on Steam

In this episode – It Runs on Steam . . .

If you’ve seen Back to The Future III, you may remember Doc Brown's line, “It Runs on Steam!”

Recently, I visited my good friend Billy in Westfield, New Jersey. Among his many other hobbies, Billy is a steam engine enthusiast. He proudly fired up his miniature steam engine and confidently explained its workings, which got me thinking . . .

(Sound effect of Billy's steam engine whistle)

Have you ever considered how environmentally friendly a steam engine powered by renewable energy could be? There would be no need for gasoline, batteries, diesel fuel, or Uranium-234. Imagine an engine powered by water—yes, water. I can hear the naysayers: "But . . .”

Welcome back to On the Fly, where we dive into one of history's most fascinating inventions. Today, we're firing up a revolution – the Industrial Revolution, that is – with the mighty steam engine!

For centuries, people relied on muscle, wind, and waterpower to get things done. Then, in the 1700s, a series of tinkerers and engineers unleashed a new force: steam! Early engines were clunky and used to pump water out of mines. Then came James Watt.

James Watt was a Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer born in 1736. While he didn't invent the first steam engine, his work in the mid-1700s revolutionized it. Existing steam engines wasted a lot of energy. Watt introduced the separate condenser, which greatly improved efficiency and made them cheaper to run. His designs allowed the engine to generate more power consistently, making them far more useful for factories and other applications.

Watt also developed the double-acting engine, which could generate power on both the upward and downward strokes of the piston, further boosting its capabilities. James Watt's advancements in steam engine technology are widely considered a major driver of the Industrial Revolution. His work helped usher in a new era of manufacturing, transportation, and societal change.

Imagine that–no more limitations! Factories boomed, churning out textiles, clothing, and all sorts of goods at an unprecedented rate.

But the impact went far beyond factories. Steam-powered ships transformed travel and trade. No longer were journeys reliant on wind and weather. People and goods could cross oceans faster and more reliably.

And then came the locomotive! Steam trains ripped across continents, shrinking distances and connecting people more closely than ever. The steam engine profoundly impacted society beyond just increasing speed and efficiency. It led to the rapid growth of cities as more people moved there to work in factories. While new jobs were created, working conditions were often difficult. This period began a new era characterized by remarkable progress.

In hindsight, the steam engine wasn't perfect, but its impact is undeniable. It powered a revolution that changed the course of history. Despite the advent of electric and diesel locomotives in the mid-20th century, steam locomotives continued to be used and built into the 21st century. The regular use of steam locomotives in non-tourist revenue service concluded in 2024.

A dedicated community of steam enthusiasts keeps these locomotives running for historical preservation and enjoyment. Many historic railways, museums, and tourist lines still operate them.

A great example is the Disneyland Railroad, which uses real steam engines. According to sources, the railroad has five operational steam locomotives. Some were built specifically for Disneyland, while others are historic engines. They burn fuel oil to create steam and truly capture the experience of a classic steam train ride. So next time you're at Disneyland, ride the railroad and enjoy a piece of transportation history!

So, while they're not hauling cargo across continents anymore, steam engines are still chugging along in a different capacity, reminding us of their revolutionary impact.

You can ask Billy about his new steam-powered gadgets. Click the link to see his Steam Engine in action on YouTube.

(Sound effect of Billy's steam engine whistle)

I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. I'll see you in the next episode.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Most Popular of All Time

Resurrecting the '90s Graphite

Let’s face it, there’s a certain danger in reading John Gierach's Trout Bum . His wit, self-deprecation, and sharp, effortless satire are entirely infectious. If you aren't careful, his words will inspire you to drop everything, wade into a freezing river, and try to outsmart a creature with a brain the size of a lentil. In my case, re-reading Gierach recently didn't send me straight to the river. It sent me digging through the dusty, spider-guarded corners of my garage. In the early 1990s, seeking a natural escape from Manhattan's concrete canyons, I decided to learn to cast a fly rod. I bought an Orvis Rocky Mountain —eight-and-a-half feet, three ounces, built for a five-weight line—and had absolutely no idea how to use it. To avoid aimlessly whipping the water like scrambling eggs, I took fly-fishing lessons from Al Cucci, co-author of Hatches , on the Delaware River. With his guidance, I fished renowned waters: the AuSable in New York and Michigan, and New Jersey...
Post a Comment
Read more

The AI Debate Was Settled in 1954

In this episode, what a 70-year-old sci-fi mystery teaches us. Welcome back to On the Fly. I’ve been looking for a clear way to explain how we should be handling Artificial Intelligence today. I finally found the answer hidden in a book I just finished. The twist? It was written more than seventy years ago. Isaac Asimov's The Caves of Steel was published in 1954, when a computer filled an entire room, consumed enough electricity to dim the neighborhood, and had roughly the computing power of today's microwave. Yet Asimov set his story nearly 3,000 years in the future—a world where humanity lives in sprawling enclosed cities (New York) and depends on advanced technology for nearly every aspect of daily life. The remarkable part isn't how much of the technology he imagined. It's how accurately he predicted us. In Asimov's future, society struggles with the introduction of highly sophisticated humanoid robots powered by "positronic brains." Naturally, a lou...
Post a Comment
Read more

From Mailbox to Microphone

In this episode, catching up with Sierra . What happens when you combine a little imagination, modern digital tools, and the willingness to make a glorious, muddy mess? You get our guest’s latest project. I’m Patrick Ball. Welcome back to On the Fly . Today, we are diving into the world of native plants and guerrilla gardening with twelve-year-old creator Sierra. After watching her impressive, self-produced tutorial on how to make ‘Seed Balls,’ I had to know how she did it. It’s incredibly inspiring to watch Sierra evolve from a young artist wielding crayons and stationery into a savvy digital creator. She’s writing scripts, mastering voiceovers, and editing—all to make a positive, green impact on her local community. “She shoots, she scores, and she’s here to tell us all about it.” Please welcome Sierra to On the Fly ! Let’s get into it. Audio interview . . . For more blog posts showcasing Sierra’s talents, see: The Mailbox Surprise . . . and The Summer Surprise I’m Patrick Ball. Sta...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Birth of a Cubs Legend

In this episode, The 162-Game Exhale — and the Birth of a Cubs Legend There’s a hush in the baseball world on Game 162 — a collective breath drawn in and slowly released. Scoreboards stop flipping. Dugouts empty. For six months, the game has been our steady heartbeat, pulsing from the cherry blossoms of Tokyo in March to the crisp, playoff-charged winds of late September. And now, as the regular season exhales, baseball fans everywhere pause to absorb the story we’ve just lived. For me, that story has been deeply personal. This season unfolded in the rhythms of my daily life. It was the summer soundtrack echoing beneath the constant turmoil of politics and sensational headlines. It was a handful of carefully chosen ballpark pilgrimages stitched together with countless nights in front of MLB.TV. And at the center of it all, for a lifelong Cubs fan like me, it revolved around one name — a young center fielder who turned hope into history: Pete Crow-Armstrong. The 2025 season didn’t begin...
Post a Comment
Read more