The discoveries of the early oriental nations were collected and developed in Babylon. The entire fields of science, mathematics, geometry, agriculture, astronomy, philosophy, and art were focused in Babylon and handed down to the Egyptians and the Greeks. Much credit that is given to ancient Greece should be shared also by Babylon. It was from Babylon that Greece obtained the principles of its civilization, arts and sciences. Even Greek architecture and sculpture were originally derived from Babylon.
CHAPTER IV
EGYPTIAN SCIENCE
The early civilization in Egypt developed in the ancient cities of Thebes and Memphis. Authorities on the dawn of history in Egypt are unable to definitely account for the origins of the various peoples who have ruled the land. One school contends that the early negroid inhabitants originated in Africa. Another school opposes this view and suggests an Asiatic origin. Each of these schools can marshal facts to sustain its contentions. The truth is that Africa was inhabited at such an early period that we are unable to fully trace back the movements of its races.
Man was divided into species and subspecies at a very remote period. The dominant peoples in each country, in each era, were the successful contestants in long conflicts for supremacy. Many races have vanished without leaving any traces beyond reversional strains which still come to the surface at times in families living to-day. The laws of evolution, only recently deciphered, are the sole means we possess for learning about many of the long-perished species of men.
A few races, too weak to ever gain supremacy and themselves to occupy districts, or countries, have survived by dwelling among stronger races. The Ainus, in Japan, and the Jews in Asia and Europe, are well-known examples.
MODEL OF AN EARLY ELECTRIC MOTOR
The original was invented by M. H. Jacobi in 1834 and was used in 1838 to propel a boat on the Neva at St. Petersburg.