How we lost to steam

I am sure man knew how to convert water into steam from the very beginnings of the civilizations or even earlier. A slight twist to a straight rod of metal makes what is called a crankshaft. Now, if you combine steam with a crankshaft – you get a steam engine! Now historically we know that the discovery of steam engine led to the industrial revolution in Europe, because the steam engine made work extremely easy. The industrial revolution led to production of goods for which the industrialized nations needed markets. This led to imperialism by countries like Britain and France. I admit imperialism existed before also when Portuguese and Spanish voyagers traveled the world in ships. But, never before was the imperialism so widespread. It was a direct consequence of the industrial revolution, which was kick-started by the steam engine. The world as we know was shaped by imperialism. Even the world wars were its consequence. Had India and China not lost to Europe, they may well have been first world countries.

 

India and China have a 4000 year old history. They have been known to predict solar and lunar eclipses. The Chinese even had the knowledge of predicting the direction of the epicenter of an earthquake. They had discovered porcelain, magnetic compass and what not. Before the industrial revolution, India and China were mass producers and exporters of cloth. The expanse of their trade was such that they even had a trading route called Silk Route. Indians were experts in metallurgy. We had very strong kingdoms during the period of Iron age civilizations – that of Mauryas and Guptas. Ashoka’s pillars are one example of India’s strength in metallurgy. But, why could not they combine steam with a crankshaft? How much innovation it takes to do it? Why did it take as long as 16^th century to design a steam engine? I just don’t understand the reasons, but we all know what were the consequences. How the ability to make a small connection between steam and the crankshaft defined our 300 years of past. And then I wonder, what else is still out there, just waiting to be exploited - that will cause the next butterfly effect? And how to be the first ones to see it? So that we do not lose the race this time.