Infographic created by David Holung for ANT222H5 Engineering Eden: Human- Environment Interactions from Prehistory to Present "Nobel Prehistoric Prize". Reproduced with permission.
Descriptive text: The infographic entitled "Fire's Evolution: From Ancient Flames to Modern Data" traces fire’s role across history. Discovery of Fire: Around 1.7 million years ago, early Homo erectus used natural fire at sites like Koobi Fora and Swartkrans. Ancient Hearths: By ~400,000–200,000 years ago, fire use became habitual; hearths at Qesem Cave (Israel) and Beeches Pit (England) show structured space use. Industrial Revolution: Between 1760–1840 CE, fire shifted from domestic to industrial power; steam engines transformed heat to mechanical energy, sparking the rise of factories, metallurgy, and mass production. Digital Age: From the 1950s onward, electricity—fire’s controlled descendant—powers the global digital ecosystem. Future Innovations: In 2025 and beyond, AI and cloud technologies demand new 'fire controls' like renewable grids, cooling systems, and energy efficiency laws (Koomey, 2025). Visual elements include a timeline with historical milestones and icons representing flames, engines, and digital networks.