The evolution of water power, steam power, and iron in infrastructure development

Water Power

Although hydropower is thousands of years old, recent developments in technology have allowed for far more sophisticated water turbines and waterpower systems. Whereas water mills are rarely necessary in the 21st century, modern infrastructure nevertheless relies heavily on hydroelectric power generation. The building of dams represents major engineering marvels. One of the ways to study the history of water power is by tracing the evolution of water power from the time of the earliest water-powered mills to today's massive dams. Early water mills were used for small-scale and specific projects such as a mill grinding its own flour for the community. A return to small-scale hydroelectric power generation might present one solution to current energy crises.

Thesis 1: Studying the history and evolution of water power can illustrate some ways of helping isolated, rural, and poor communities generate their own power using sustainable, inexpensive, safe, and reliable "microhydro" methods (Kenfack, et al., 2009).

Thesis 2: Major dam building projects like the Hoover Dam demonstrate how water power has proven to be part of the solution to economic depressions and the need for growth.

Steam Power

Steam power is practically synonymous with the Industrial Revolution, when steam power really came into its own. However, steam powered devices were hundreds of years old by the time of the Industrial Revolution. Earlier steam powered devices were used to pump water from mines, whereas later steam engines were used to power locomotives, boats, and factories (Lira, n.d.). The steam engine evolved over centuries, as different models, methods, and materials were used to improve on earlier designs. Unfortunately, the use of coal in many steam engines during the Industrial Revolution resulted in pollution and emissions that laid the foundation for current climate change issues.

Thesis 1: The technologies used to harness the power of steam have been around for centuries, but the Industrial Revolution capitalized on steam power like never before.

Thesis 2: Because steam power is no longer a major source of energy generation, studying the history and eventual demise of steam power can illustrate some of the ways we can shift from internal combustion engines to more efficient and cleaner types.

Iron Used in Structures