How the Victorians Took Us to the Moon: The Story of the Nineteenth-Century Innovators Who Forged the Future

The Victorians were a golden age of engineering, with unprecedented technological development between 1800 and 1900. This book tells the story of how this future was made, from Charles Babbage's dream of mechanising mathematics to Isambard Kingdom Brunel's tunnel beneath the Thames, from George Cayley's fantasies of powered flight to Nikola Tesla's visions of an electrical world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 09 November 2023
Publisher: Icon Books

An Insightful Analysis of 19th-Century Futurism

In his captivating book, "How the Victorians Took Us to the Moon," historian Iwan Rhys Morus delves into the fascinating world of 19th-century futurism, offering an insightful analysis that blends cautionary tale and celebratory spirit. Through a meticulous exploration of various developments such as the Transatlantic telegraph cable, the steam locomotive, and electric power, Morus vividly recalls the exuberant predictions of the fiction of the time. This captivating journey rattles readers with its thrilling accounts, reminding us of the audacious spirit that characterized the Victorian era.

"Excellent" is just one of the many accolades bestowed upon this remarkable work. Katy Guest of The Guardian praises it as "a terrific insight into why the Victorian era was a golden age of engineering." Nick Smith of Engineering and Technology Magazine also commends it, stating, "A terrific insight into why the Victorian era was a golden age of engineering."

By the close of the Victorian era, the world had undergone an irreversible transformation. The unprecedented pace of technological development witnessed between 1800 and 1900 marked a historic milestone in human history. As the Victorians cast their gaze toward the heavens and beyond, envisioning new frontiers to be conquered, they embarked on a remarkable journey of invention, shaping, and molding the very concept of the future.

To propel us toward this envisioned future, the Victorians embarked on a grand endeavor to order and transform nature, drawing upon vast resources and the immense power of the Empire. In this process, they revolutionized science itself, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries and innovations.

In his rich and absorbing book, Morus weaves a narrative that spans from the visionary dreams of Charles Babbage, who sought to mechanize mathematics, to the awe-inspiring tunnel beneath the Thames envisioned by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. From George Cayley's fantastical visions of powered flight to Nikola Tesla's audacious dreams of an electrical world, this is a story of towering personalities, clashing ambitions, fierce rivalries, and conflicting cultures. It is a vibrant tapestry of remarkable lives that not only transformed the world but ultimately led us to the moon.

Through his meticulous research and captivating storytelling, Morus invites readers to immerse themselves in the vibrant world of 19th-century futurism. "How the Victorians Took Us to the Moon" is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Victorian era and its profound impact on shaping the course of human history.

Weight: 262g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781837731022