"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg cover image

E140: Why Industrial Revolutions Stall

"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg

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Industrial Innovations of the Roman Empire

This chapter examines the industrialization of the Roman Empire, revealing how rising labor costs led to mechanical innovations like watermills despite the prevalence of slave labor. It highlights the advanced water engineering techniques of the Romans, their application in agriculture and construction, and the transition towards more sustainable energy sources as the empire faced labor shortages.

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