A look at how steam power revolutionised shipping, from the earliest paddle steamers with screw propellers to more modern vessels like the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Fred Dibnah looks at the advances made with the invention of the steam turbine, still used to generate electricity in coal-fired and nuclear power stations. Show more

Fred traces the development of steam power. He looks at early experiments in its use for road transport, and at the development of the traction engine.

Steam history series. A look at the industrial expansion of the 18th century, and the use of steam engines in mills, collieries and steelworks. Show more

Science history with Fred Dibnah. Fred visits Cornwall to look at the early history of the steam engine, first developed to pump water from mines. Show more

Fred Dibnah traces the development of steam power, from early colliery railways to the end of steam travel in Britain in the 1960s.