WE ARE NOT THE FIRST

Sphere paperback, 1972. Cover artist uncredited.

"The development of modern science during the course of the past 400 years is merely the rediscovery of ancient knowledge. 

ATOMIC THEORY 

was worked out by Democritus 2500 years before Rutherford. 

PENICILLIN 

was used by the ancient Egyptians 4000 years before Fleming. 

ELECTRIC BATTERIES 

were used by the Babylonians 2000 years before König's cells. 

SPACE TRAVEL 

was described by the prehistoric Chinese 4000 years before the Apollo flights."