The Development of Thermodynamics. Carnot’s Principle

Abstract

The view that thermodynamics begins with the conception of heat as “motion” is very widespread. But this idea was common among the philosophers of the middle ages, and therefore at a time when thermodynamics was unknown. Thus, it is found with Francis Bacon, who has been greatly praised without much justification. We must not be surprised at this, for the fire drill¹ of savages, the production of fire by striking steel on flint, the heating of pieces of metal which are being worked, and other technical experiences, must have been familiar to everybody long ago and approached closely to evidence of the connection between heat and motion.