HistoryWow

Why did a primitive steam-powered engine for lifting weights go unused in Roman times?

Answer: The Emperor Vespasian, who was Emperor from 69AD to 79AD, forbade its use as it would cause unemployment among unskilled laborers.

Source: The Lives of the Caesars: The Life of Vespasian by Suetonius

Back Home

On This Day

1908 – King Carlos I of Portugal and his heir, Prince Luis Filipe are assassinated by Republican sympathizers in Lisbon.

More at: History

Holly From HistoryWow on Instagram

Holly may be an AI creation. But she’s an all English girl. History arouses the naughty in her.
See Her Here

Got a History Question?

Have you an intriguing, fascinating or inspirational history question and answer? Then, we'd love to hear from you. The best ones, ideally with the source provided, will be posted on either the History Question of the Day or History Question of the Week.

Submit

HistoryWow’s Amazing History Tales

A short, sharp hit of history in audio format.

Just totin' my flattery trowel

Listen to more than 120 additional history audios.

Click Here

HistoryWow on Facebook

More short, sharp hits of history on HistoryWow's Facebook page

HistoryWow’s Quick Shot Videos

A short, sharp hit of history in video format. Acclaimed Irish playwright and novelist Oscar Wilde was the toast of London society in the 1890s until things came decidedly unstuck through an association with a young British aristocrat, Lord Alfred Douglas, known as ‘Bosie’.

The source for this HistoryWow video is: Oscar and Bosie - A Fatal Passion by Trevor Fisher; General Historical Texts.

More Quick Shot Videos on HistoryWow's YouTube Channel:

Great Moments in American History

A new audio offering from HistoryWow.

The Richest American Gives It All Away
The Man Who Could Fly
America's help in the aftermath of World War One

Who Am I?

I was born in Huanggang, China, in 1908.
After training as a soldier, I became a leader in the Chinese Communist Party
During the Chinese Civil War (1927-1950) my leadership was pivotal in a string of Communist victories.
After the war I initially avoided politics, but later became minister of defence in 1959. In 1968 I replaced Liu Shaoqui (1898-1969) as the heir apparent to Mao Zedong (1893-1976).
In 1971, after a political struggle, I was killed in a plane crash in Mongolia while attempting to seek refuge in the USSR.

Submit Answer

Last week’s answer: Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536)

More at: History

HistoryWow’s Highlighted Historical Quotation

“In Russia a man is a called reactionary if he objects to having his property stolen and his wife and children murdered.”

Winston Churchill (1874-1965), British statesman

Source: The Wicket Wit of Winston Churchill by Dominique Enright

More at: History

HistoryWow in the News

Articles from The Australian Financial Review, The Australian, Acuity – the professional magazine of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand - and more. View here

HistoryWow’s Featured Historical Figure of Note

Marcus Porcius Cato (234-149BCE)

Roman statesman, soldier and writer of virtue, simplicity and wisdom. He condemned the luxury of his time and was nicknamed “the censor”. He became Consul in 195BCE, took part in the defeat of Hannibal at Zama, held command in Sardinia and Spain, and in 191 BCE assisted the Greeks in overthrowing Antiochus III at Thermopolyae.