![]() Then there were the speculations of Leonardo da Vinci and Sir Roger Bacon concerning the military potential of "burning mirrors," solar collectors that would focus the sun's rays for a weapon of destruction the medievel scientists were never able to build a device big enough and strong enough to use in warfare, however. In Rome, artisans discovered the beneficial qualities of glass, and the sun's warmth was utilized at the famous and opulent Roman baths. In ancient Greece sunlight was considered healthful, so entire cities were designed with spacious southern exposures. Whether or not this is the case, the history of mankind's efforts to use the sun's power is a fascinating story, one told in a lively yet scholarly manner here. Now many people are convinced that a lasting solar age is about to dawn and that with our unprecedented scientific and technological base, we can finally harness the golden rays of the sun as economically as we can recover and use fossil fuels. Yet, each time solar energy was rediscovered, it was strengthened and improved by the growing scientific knowledge of its discoverers and their ability to manipulate the basic materials at hand. ![]() ![]() It has been woven into the warp and woof of Western civilization a number of times, only to be raveled out again. No, there is nothing new about solar energy. ![]()
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