Would you have the knowledge
Discussion
I suppose you would have to walk before running, given that the average life expectancy in the Middle Ages would have been around 25 years due to rampant infectious disease and whatnot. So maybe try to introduce Koch's postulates, water filtration, pasteurisation, that kind of thing. If you weren't done in for being a heretic, then maybe try to design and build a forge, as you would need that for all of the metal work required for steam engines, rails, etc.
Yahonza said:
I suppose you would have to walk before running, given that the average life expectancy in the Middle Ages would have been around 25 years due to rampant infectious disease and whatnot. So maybe try to introduce Koch's postulates, water filtration, pasteurisation, that kind of thing. If you weren't done in for being a heretic, then maybe try to design and build a forge, as you would need that for all of the metal work required for steam engines, rails, etc.
Disease prevention, a good idea. They had forges already, but you could pioneer the use of coal instead of wood for higher temperatures which would give you more options. Take a book on metallurgy...!EAT talking of books, how about printing, and teaching them to read?
Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 1st March 15:27
Simpo Two said:
Yahonza said:
I suppose you would have to walk before running, given that the average life expectancy in the Middle Ages would have been around 25 years due to rampant infectious disease and whatnot. So maybe try to introduce Koch's postulates, water filtration, pasteurisation, that kind of thing. If you weren't done in for being a heretic, then maybe try to design and build a forge, as you would need that for all of the metal work required for steam engines, rails, etc.
Disease prevention, a good idea. They had forges already, but you could pioneer the use of coal instead of wood for higher temperatures which would give you more options. Take a book on metallurgy...!EAT talking of books, how about printing, and teaching them to read?
This morning I got in my time machine and went back to 1350 AD.
I taught them to read. It went well. I got invited back into their wattle and daub huts and given some dead cow to chow on. A bit chilly at this time of year but the maidens are generous.
But then the assembled masses said 'There is nothing to read with the new skills wot you have taught us, O munificent leader'.
'Oops' says I, 'you'll have to wait a few centuries for that. Let me get back in my time machine and have another go. Back later!'
I taught them to read. It went well. I got invited back into their wattle and daub huts and given some dead cow to chow on. A bit chilly at this time of year but the maidens are generous.
But then the assembled masses said 'There is nothing to read with the new skills wot you have taught us, O munificent leader'.
'Oops' says I, 'you'll have to wait a few centuries for that. Let me get back in my time machine and have another go. Back later!'
Yahonza said:
I suppose you would have to walk before running, given that the average life expectancy in the Middle Ages would have been around 25 years due to rampant infectious disease and whatnot. So maybe try to introduce Koch's postulates, water filtration, pasteurisation, that kind of thing. If you weren't done in for being a heretic, then maybe try to design and build a forge, as you would need that for all of the metal work required for steam engines, rails, etc.
Indeed Improving hygiene, stitching wounds, dressings, anti bacterials, boiling water etc - all would have you named as the Kings Physician pretty quickly. (if you are a chap. If you is a lady, then we have a nice stake for you and not the eating kind)
Simpo Two said:
Yahonza said:
I suppose you would have to walk before running, given that the average life expectancy in the Middle Ages would have been around 25 years due to rampant infectious disease and whatnot. So maybe try to introduce Koch's postulates, water filtration, pasteurisation, that kind of thing. If you weren't done in for being a heretic, then maybe try to design and build a forge, as you would need that for all of the metal work required for steam engines, rails, etc.
Disease prevention, a good idea. They had forges already, but you could pioneer the use of coal instead of wood for higher temperatures which would give you more options. Take a book on metallurgy...!Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 1st March 15:27
As for steam engines, probably the biggest issue would be creating a boiler that could hold the pressure, for which you need large plates, for which you need rolling mills and large scale production again.
But I'm leaning more to the suggestings on basic sanitation and health, that would give a massive kick by allowing people not to be ill and dying half the time, so they'd have time to focus on other things than just surviving.
CrutyRammers said:
Yeah, working with iron they could do, and working with steel is not really different. It's was the fact that they could only produce wrought iron in small batches, and sometimes some people could then turn this into steel in even smaller batches, which held everything back.
As for steam engines, probably the biggest issue would be creating a boiler that could hold the pressure, for which you need large plates, for which you need rolling mills and large scale production again.
But I'm leaning more to the suggestings on basic sanitation and health, that would give a massive kick by allowing people not to be ill and dying half the time, so they'd have time to focus on other things than just surviving.
And you could add to that agricultural technology - growing and maintaining food stores would have taken a decent %age of time. As for steam engines, probably the biggest issue would be creating a boiler that could hold the pressure, for which you need large plates, for which you need rolling mills and large scale production again.
But I'm leaning more to the suggestings on basic sanitation and health, that would give a massive kick by allowing people not to be ill and dying half the time, so they'd have time to focus on other things than just surviving.
A successful community would become a target though, so you'd want to be working on improving the defence capabilities of it and have enough to share some around to others in need.
InitialDave said:
Simpo Two said:
InitialDave said:
There's also the 1632 book series, about a small American 20th century community magically ending up in 17th century Europe.
Surprisingly obscure but I found this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1632_(novel)The other series is Jodie Taylor and the St Mary’s chronicles and the depth she goes into in talking about the difficulties of existing and living outside of ones time.
coanda said:
CrutyRammers said:
Yeah, working with iron they could do, and working with steel is not really different. It's was the fact that they could only produce wrought iron in small batches, and sometimes some people could then turn this into steel in even smaller batches, which held everything back.
As for steam engines, probably the biggest issue would be creating a boiler that could hold the pressure, for which you need large plates, for which you need rolling mills and large scale production again.
But I'm leaning more to the suggestings on basic sanitation and health, that would give a massive kick by allowing people not to be ill and dying half the time, so they'd have time to focus on other things than just surviving.
And you could add to that agricultural technology - growing and maintaining food stores would have taken a decent %age of time. As for steam engines, probably the biggest issue would be creating a boiler that could hold the pressure, for which you need large plates, for which you need rolling mills and large scale production again.
But I'm leaning more to the suggestings on basic sanitation and health, that would give a massive kick by allowing people not to be ill and dying half the time, so they'd have time to focus on other things than just surviving.
A successful community would become a target though, so you'd want to be working on improving the defence capabilities of it and have enough to share some around to others in need.
hidetheelephants said:
If you've pioneered steel manufacture it's a short hop and a skip to firearms large and small; at this point other people need to worry about their defences rather than you yours, as you're equipped to subjugate more or less everyone who doesn't tug their forelock and pay tribute.
I like the idea that someone landing in the C14 is going to be turning out Armstrong breech loaders by the end of the year 
Simpo Two said:
hidetheelephants said:
If you've pioneered steel manufacture it's a short hop and a skip to firearms large and small; at this point other people need to worry about their defences rather than you yours, as you're equipped to subjugate more or less everyone who doesn't tug their forelock and pay tribute.
I like the idea that someone landing in the C14 is going to be turning out Armstrong breech loaders by the end of the year 
Wasn't quite what I had in mind; just getting to iron muzzle loaders before everyone else would be a massive advantage, as would incremental advances like percussion caps(once you've got them insist on going into battle when it's raining ). Even with the metallurgy and machine tools Armstrong had they had huge teething troubles that took decades to iron out.Toltec said:
Username is appropriate. Nimby said:
JuniorD said:
Probably what I'd do is find a cave or two and do some drawings on the walls of helicopters, aeroplanes, stars and constellations, funny animals, maps, future predictions, random codes, and the odd big cock and balls to leave future archeologists utterly baffled. Maybe after I return to the future I'd go and "discover" my earlier works and monetize the situation somehow.
An atmospheric steam pump shouldn't be too hard as it only has to withstand 1 bar. A barrel-maker should be able to knock up a suitable cylinder
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