William Adams, the Bombay bureaucrat, visions of a solar future
William Adams was a pioneering figure in solar energy, inspired by early inventions in the field. He became the first Briton to design and test a solar steam engine in Bombay, but faced resistance from colonial authorities. Despite his innovative work, his vision for a solar future was ultimately unrecognized due to the conservatism of his time.
- ▪William Adams was inspired by the solar inventions of French mathematician Augustin Mouchot in the 1860s.
- ▪He designed and patented a solar boiler and later built a fully-functioning solar steam engine in Bombay.
- ▪Adams faced opposition from colonial rulers who did not appreciate his contributions to solar energy.
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My unsung hero of science: William Adams, the Bombay bureaucrat whose vision of a solar future was dashed by colonial conservatism Published: May 29, 2026 9:15am EDT William Adams was inspired by reading about French mathematician Augustin Mouchot’s solar-powered invention in 1866. Interfoto History/Alamy https://theconversation.com/my-unsung-hero-of-science-william-adams-the-bombay-bureaucrat-whose-vision-of-a-solar-future-was-dashed-by-colonial-conservatism-283799 https://theconversation.com/my-unsung-hero-of-science-william-adams-the-bombay-bureaucrat-whose-vision-of-a-solar-future-was-dashed-by-colonial-conservatism-283799 Link copied Share article Share article Copy link Email Bluesky Facebook WhatsApp Messenger LinkedIn X (Twitter) Print article William Adams was entranced by…
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