Historical Analysis of Steam Engine Technology - The analysis suggests that Hero's steam spinner was a mere novelty, irrelevant to actual steam engine technology [1] - Early steam engines in Britain were primarily used for mine pumping [1] - Roman's limited need for mine pumping was due to cheap slave labor and a drier climate [1] Scientific Knowledge and Innovation - Innovators in Britain and France were aware of scientific discoveries about vacuum and the atmosphere [2] - Romans had limited interest in abstract science, hindering their knowledge of the atmosphere and vacuum, despite their expertise in civil engineering and piston pumps [2]