<
https://theconversation.com/my-unsung-hero-of-science-william-adams-the-bombay-bureaucrat-whose-vision-of-a-solar-future-was-dashed-by-colonial-conservatism-283799>
"William Adams was entranced by energy. As a young man, his interest was nursed
by working as a clerk in a London patent office in the 1860s. This gave him an
early look at some of the first British designs for exploiting solar energy
using mirrors, water or both.
Adams would later recount his excitement at reading about the French
mathematician Augustin Mouchot’s invention of the first machine ever to run on
energy from the Sun. The device, which connected a solar boiler to a
specifically designed steam engine, was warmly received by Napoleon III when it
was presented to the emperor in 1866.
Inspired, Adams soon designed and patented his own rudimentary solar boiler.
The only problem was, he needed more sun.
When offered the chance to become deputy registrar of Bombay by the Indian
city’s governor, Sir Philip Edmond Wodehouse, Adams jumped at the opportunity.
There, he became the first Briton to design, build and test a fully-functioning
solar steam engine fit for industrial purpose.
But he also came up against the conservatism of India’s colonial rulers, who
did not see this Bombay bureaucrat for the energy visionary that he undoubtedly
was."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
