Author: Antonio Piovesan Great Britain, middle decades of the 19th century, times of unprecedented engineering ambitions. Engineering, transportation, communications, architecture, science and manufacturing are in a feverish state of evolution. Inventors and engineers exploit new materials and new processes: it seems to be a period of endless inventions and innovations. Steam engines are slowly replacing animals as a source of motive power. Iron ships begin to compete with sailing, rail networks expand rapidly, and the electric telegraph begins to revolutionize communications. Thriving science, engineering and new technologies guarantee limitless innovations. Engineers, architects, mathematicians, astronomers, bankers, actuaries, workers, insurance agents, statisticians, navigators, anyone