The Internet’s Steamiest Facts
Sunday
Steam was original motive power of the Industrial Revolution. Before that, industry was limited to the less controlable forces of wind and flowing water to drive machinery. Steam remained industry’s driving force until it was replaced by more efficient combustion and electric engines.
Monday
Unsurprisingly, the command “full steam ahead” came from the steam-powered era, and was an order to bring a ship’s boiler to maximum pressure and hence the boat’s maximum speed. It was first used in the US Civil War’s Battle of Mobile Bay.
Tuesday
“Blow off steam” and “let off steam” both mean to release strong emotions, and also come from the steam power era, when reducing steam pressure from an engine’s boiler reduced the risk of a rupture or explosion.
Wednesday
Though essential to early industry, steam-making boilers on land and sea were extremely dangerous, particularly before standardized practices for their manufacture, maintenance, and inspection. When 3 boilers exploded on the American riverboat Sultana in 1865, over 1,600 people died, more than on the Titanic. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a boiler was exploding nearly every day somewhere in the world, killing thousands of people each decade.
Thursday
Dietitians favor cooking food by steaming. Unlike many other cooking methods which cause some loss of the food’s vitamins – particularly vitamin C – steamed food retains most of those vitamins.
Friday
The “steampunk” literary genre is a form of retrofuturism, often involving modern technology powered by steam, thus existing in an era before it actually did, with Victorian fashions to match.
Saturday
Clean, well-maintained steam rooms have been found to have several health benefits, including improved circulation, cardiovascular health, and skin health, while reducing stress, inflammation, and congestion.