yeah, you need an industrial base to build from scratch. But that’s not that different if you want to build engines and oil refining from scratch. You’d have to start with a steam engine first and reboot industry from there.
I would argue that the steam and even combustion engine are much easier to build than a solar panel, if you know how.
If he was given detailed instructions, I believe a mediaeval blacksmith could have build a steam engine. As soon as we go to 17th/18th century, we can probably build a combustion engine. Sure, it will be a bad engine, but it will do the job of burning refined oil and spinning.
But a solar panel? You need clean rooms, which need air purification, you need working knowledge of semiconductor manufacturing. Much harder than a solar thermal steam engine and a few lead or zinc batteries.
yeah, you need an industrial base to build from scratch. But that’s not that different if you want to build engines and oil refining from scratch. You’d have to start with a steam engine first and reboot industry from there.
And for the steel engine you’d need an advanced forge as well as the raw minerals with sufficient purity. As well as either coal or tons of wood
I would argue that the steam and even combustion engine are much easier to build than a solar panel, if you know how.
If he was given detailed instructions, I believe a mediaeval blacksmith could have build a steam engine. As soon as we go to 17th/18th century, we can probably build a combustion engine. Sure, it will be a bad engine, but it will do the job of burning refined oil and spinning.
But a solar panel? You need clean rooms, which need air purification, you need working knowledge of semiconductor manufacturing. Much harder than a solar thermal steam engine and a few lead or zinc batteries.
Mad Max would be a lot different using those first primitive engines instead of the V8 and whatnot.