ABSTRACT
Thermodynamics is the only branch of physics motivated entirely by technology. Sadi Carnot, one of the founders of the subject, was a French army engineer interested in the efficiency of steam engines. His investigation led to the discovery of an ideal engine bearing his name, which is also connected to the second law of thermodynamics. However, this connection between physics and technology should not result in confusing the two. Ideas of science could start in a variety of ways. Astronomy was motivated by the religious desire of finding more about the gods in heaven. Archimedes started hydrostatics because of his interest in geometry of solids. Most ideas, however, come about simply because of the inner desire of the scientist to tackle an outstanding problem or an unanswered question.
