Scientific Investigations and Technological Development in the Larderello Region from XVI Through XIX Centuries

Abstract

After an of a general nature, provide the subject in question with a brief historical framework the geothermal knowledge accumulated in the Mediterranean up until end of Middle Ages, the paper the investigations made and the ideas expressed. as well as the main technological innovations achieved at Larderello the heginning of the Renaissance until the end of the last century. The description of the natural manifestations, the hypothesesmade their formation and evolution in time. and the theories proposed by numerous authors on the formation of the Larderello field and an the nature of the hydrothermal products. altogether constitute a set of very stimulating ideas. These indicate that the understanding of the geothermal phenomena and the technological development achieved at Larderello had already reached. by the beginning the present a high level of scientific and applied importance.