If you were sent back to the roman era and could only bring a backpack of goods. What would you bring?

  • Dagwood222@lemm.ee
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    13
    ·
    1 year ago

    Without doing any research, the answer is “watchmaking tools.” Equipment to make small things like watches, and revolvers and what ever you’d need to start a factory. A few things like microscope, binoculars.

    They had good craftspeople on hand, just need a little push to start an Industrial Revolution.

    • hglman@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      6
      ·
      1 year ago

      You need good quality metal to make precise clockwork. You need to be able to make those metals.

      • Cypher@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        4
        ·
        1 year ago

        Romans made decent steel, especially in terms of hardness which is what you need to make tooling.

        It wouldn’t be the biggest problem you would face in trying to industrialise Rome

    • starman2112@sh.itjust.works
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      1 year ago

      Damn, now I’m wondering if my decision to bring plans for a printing press is actually less useful than accurate timekeeping

      • Ross_audio@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        1 year ago

        The idea of a printing press was revolutionary but it’s just an engraved plate, ink, later and a weight on a lever.

        I’m confident I could make a printing press without plans having seen one. I’m not confident I could design an accurate watch.

        I might manage a pendulum clock. Just. But that’s far less useful.