It was called the Scientific Method. Observe, theorize, prove. Build upon proof. Figure out what works, and how it works.
Magic became a single science at first - alchemy. As magic was codified, there was a schism. Natural Science became the study of things without magic being involved, and the new study of chemistry complimented alchemy. One of the most intriguing new developments of this era were items like firesticks and purifiers.
Just these two inventions had a widespread effect on civilization. Both could only be used once, but an enterprising fellow named DaVinci came up with a rack that could dip dozens of sticks at a time into the sulfer-based muck and then be set aside to harden. Large batches of purifier was developed as well. Firesticks could be struck against rough wood, and would immediately light. A pellet of Purifier could be dropped into rancid water, and after the foaming action was done - the water was safe to drink.
This was followed by dozens of other inventions making use of the new sciences of Chemistry and Alchemy. Compounds which allowed glass to be rolled out in uniform amounts, and treatments which could resist heat and flame when applied to surfaces expected to come into contact with such. New methods of treating leather that didn't foul the air and water to nearly the extent that old methods did. New dyes were briefly coming out as fast in Europe as colors could be named.
However, there was always a price. There's No Such Thing As A Free Lunch - as the alchemists were fond of saying. Some people and merchant houses bankrupted themselves seeking out rare earths and essences to use in their experimentation. Others made do with less and managed things altogether different.
It was a heady time despite this, and the first codification of magic led to another set of dual sciences. Learn how something behaved without magic and you could better understand how magic functioned with it.
Leonardo DaVinci, an inventor and dabbler in alchemy, made the first human sized glider and the first manned flight in 1503. Others followed, however they were at the mercy of winds and weather.
It was in 1766 that a fellow first worked out the basics of powered flight using a combination of Wind and Lightning. Some say that the reason Benjamin Franklin developed it was specifically to visit certain ladies of his acquaintance in what would be record times for that particular century.
Using the trick of air pressure along a curved surface, plus the Flight Unit that combined an essence of Air and Lightning to provide the extra lift and to move the propellor - old Ben got around.
It was still a tricky business, and the harnessing of Wind to fill sails and the new Water-slick hulls made commercial sailing still the way to get cargo around - but this began an age of legendary pilots who pushed aircraft design forward until Captain Schmidt became the first pilot to cross the Atlantic nonstop in 1810.
So things went, and changes quickly accumulated.
Genma and Ranma didn't know anything about that. What they found was:
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(Posted Tue, 04 Apr 2006 10:06)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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