Watch Big Boy wake up
Big Boy No. 4014, the world's largest operating steam locomotive, begins to roll during a heritage excursion.
© WeiWang—Creatas Video/Getty Images
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Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzCommuters in the Tokyo area depend on rail transportation, and most pass through Shinjuku station.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Heron's aeolipile
Heron of Alexandria fashioned the first known “steam engine,” though he only used it to power toys and to amuse visitors.
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Public DomainBefore the Industrial Revolution, power came from three main sources: humans, draft animals, and water.
The ingenuity people used in harnessing waterpower can be seen in this medieval-style mill. The waterwheel is turned by a stream and is connected to a shaft that leads into the building. At the other end of the shaft is a gear. The connection of a series of gears translates the power from the stream to a shaft that drives a millstone, which grinds flour from grain.
(30 sec; 1.84MB)
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Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Blanscape/Dreamstime.comLearn about the technology used in Tokyo's railway system.
