ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the traditional prime movers as well as the combustion of biomass fuels. It looks at applications in critical segments of traditional economies: food preparation, provision of heat and light, land- and water-borne transportation, construction, and metallurgy. Animate labor and the kinetic energies of water and wind were the only prime movers before the diffusion of industrial civilization fueled by coal. The limited power of humans and animals, circumscribed by metabolic requirements and mechanical properties, restricted the reach of preindustrial civilizations. Societies deriving their kinetic energy solely or overwhelmingly from animate power could provide most of their members with little physical security or material affluence. All early and classical warfare was strictly powered by animate prime movers. Animate power also constituted the principal prime mover for canal boats and barges. Work is done when a force—provided by either animate or inanimate prime movers—changes a body's state of motion.
