Until this day, the steam engine is the most important symbol of Industrialization and the revolutionizing of technology. This book, first published in 1901, offers a lively depiction of its fascinating historical development and its socio/cultural significance. Matschoss depicts the historical origin of the steam engine from its beginnings with a multitude of pictures, graphics, and a detailed timeline. Conrad Matschoss (1871/1942) was an engineer, a university teacher, historian, publicist and director of the German Society of Engineers (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure, VDI). In addition to multiple publications, one of his main achievements was introducing history of technology as a scientific disciple and subject for study. Furthermore, he was founder and publisher of the annual edition ‘Contributions to the History of Technology and Industry’, which was published from 1909 to 1941.