The development of thermodynamics in the second half of the 19th century
has had far-reaching impact on both technology and natural philosophy.
True, the steam engine was converting heat into work before
thermodynamics was developed as a branch of physics. But the systematic
theory improved the conversion process, along with refrigeration and
rectification and myriad other processes essential to modern life. So,
thermodynamics has assisted humanity with cheap energy, cheap fuel - and
cheap, abundant, safer food. Thermodynamic research led to quantum
mechanics, and to stellar physics. The expansion of thermodynamic
technology and natural philosophy is reviewed in the book along with the
struggles and fates of some of the engineers and physicists who
pioneered the development.