===== Points of Divergence : Steam Engine =====

The steam engine helped launch, or (depending on who you ask) was a result of, the [[pods:Industrial Revolution]]. Its earlier invention is seen by some as the key to a much faster technical development. However, be warned that this kind of POD often tends to overlook the economic conditions and metallurgy advances that would be needed to make it useful however.

Here are some points of divergence concerning the invention and development of the steam engine. All POD entries are sorted as chronologically as possible. 

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==== Antiquity PODs ====

The most common PODs center around Hero(n) of Alexandra. 

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=294995|Plausibility check: Can you make a bronze steam engine ?]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=91783|Aeolipile: A Roman steam engine ?]]**  

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=52113|Heron invents the steam engine]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=57307|Plausibility check: Heron's steam engine triggers Greek industrial revolution ?]]**

Know of any PODs or POD discussions ? Feel free to add them. 

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==== Medieval and early modern PODs ====

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=106007|WI: Medieval steam engines ?]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=145615|Ming Dynasty and Steam Power]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/realistic-steampunk.206353/|Realistic Steampunk ?]]**

Know of any PODs or POD discussions ? Feel free to add them. 

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==== Vehicle PODs (18th-20th century) ====

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=261906|WI: Steam cars in the 18th century]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=266559|Let's discuss the effects of steam driven tanks if they're invented in the late 1800s]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=305126|Tanks with American Civil War era technology (1)]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/tanks-in-acw.3838/|Tanks with American Civil War era technology (2)]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=161993|Survival of the Steamer Car]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=162241|Turbine locomotives succeed]]**

Know of any PODs or POD discussions ? Feel free to add them. 

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==== Related PODs ====

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=262515|WI: Internal combustion engine never invented, but electric and steam engines still exist]]**

**[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=350247|Challenge: Renewables-fueled Industrial Revolution]]**

Know of any PODs or POD discussions ? Feel free to add them. 

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==== See Also ====

**[[pods:engines|Points of Divergence : Engines]]**

**[[pods:transport and vehicles|Points of Divergence : Transport and Vehicles]]**

**[[pods:industrial revolution|Points of Divergence : Industrial Revolution]]**

**[[pods:electricity|Points of Divergence : Electricity]]**

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==== Navigation ====

**[[pods:scientific discoveries and inventions|Scientific Discoveries and Inventions PODs Main Directory]]**

**[[pods:pods|Points of Divergence Main Directory]]**