top of page

Current Most Read

Elon Musk’s Bid to Acquire OpenAI: A Dangerous Power Grab?
UK Government Pressures Apple for Encrypted Data Access – Security Measure or Privacy Risk?
The Age of Anxiety: How Modern Tech is Making Us More Stressed

Rediscovering Lost Technologies: Could They Change the World?

Writer's picture: Paul FrancisPaul Francis

Imagine a world where buildings last for thousands of years without crumbling, swords are stronger than modern alloys, and energy is transmitted wirelessly across continents. Sounds like science fiction? Not quite. These were all possible thanks to lost technologies from the past—technologies that, if rediscovered, could completely reshape the future.


From Greek Fire to Tesla’s wireless energy, let’s explore how these long-lost innovations could revolutionise the modern world if we cracked their secrets.


Lost Technologies

1. Greek Fire: The Ultimate Naval Defence?

Ancient vase with Greek Fire coming out of it, surrounded by rolled scrolls on a dark, starry night background, creating a mystical mood.

Greek Fire was a terrifying medieval weapon—an incendiary liquid that could burn on water, stick to surfaces, and was nearly impossible to extinguish. It gave the Byzantine Empire a massive military advantage, but the formula was lost when the empire fell.


How Could It Change the World Today?

In modern warfare, rediscovering Greek Fire could lead to next-generation incendiary weapons or advanced fire-retardant materials. Militaries already use flamethrowers and napalm, but a substance that burns on water could revolutionise naval combat. On the other hand, cracking the formula could also help us develop better fireproofing techniques, potentially saving thousands of lives in fires and industrial disasters.


 

2. The Antikythera Mechanism: A Blueprint for Future AI?

A The Antikythera Mechanism concept with Intricate brass clockwork gears intricately layered, displaying complex patterns. Rich golden tones dominate the mechanical background.

The Antikythera Mechanism, a 2,000-year-old analogue computer, was able to predict planetary movements with astounding accuracy. It suggests the ancient Greeks had mechanical computing capabilities far beyond what we previously thought possible.


How Could It Change the World Today?

If we fully understood the principles behind the Antikythera Mechanism, it could inspire new mechanical computing devices, which might be more resilient than electronic computers in extreme environments like deep space. There’s even speculation that this kind of technology if advanced further, could aid in the development of AI-driven predictive models for climate science, medicine, and economics.


 

3. Roman Concrete: The End of Crumbling Infrastructure?

Close-up of weathered Roman Concrete wall in warm, soft lighting. Blurred tan and beige background with scattered stone pieces conveys a rustic mood.

Modern concrete lasts 50 to 100 years before cracking and breaking down. Roman concrete, however, has stood for over 2,000 years—and actually gets stronger over time. Scientists believe its secret lies in its unique mix of volcanic ash and lime, but we haven’t fully replicated it yet.


How Could It Change the World Today?

If we mastered Roman concrete, it could mean buildings that last for centuries with minimal maintenance, cutting infrastructure costs and reducing construction waste. Imagine roads, bridges, and skyscrapers that never need repairs—saving billions in public funds and significantly reducing carbon emissions from concrete production.


 

4. Damascus Steel: Super-Materials for Space Exploration?

A Damascus Steel sword with intricate patterns on blade and hilt rests on a swirling metallic surface with gold accents, creating an elegant, artistic mood.

Damascus steel swords were legendary for their unmatched sharpness and strength, thanks to a forging technique that created microscopic carbon structures within the metal. Despite attempts to replicate it, modern metallurgy hasn’t fully cracked the process.


How Could It Change the World Today?

If rediscovered, Damascus steel could lead to the creation of ultra-strong, lightweight materials for everything from spacecraft to medical implants. NASA and private space companies could use this lost metal to build better rockets, while surgeons could develop sharper, more durable scalpels for delicate procedures.


 

5. Viking Ulfberht Swords: A New Age of Super-Steel?

Viking Ulfberht swords contained an almost pure form of steel that wouldn’t be seen again until the Industrial Revolution—centuries ahead of its time.


How Could It Change the World Today?

If we rediscovered the method behind these swords, it could lead to stronger, more efficient manufacturing processes for steel in industries like aerospace, construction, and energy. Imagine bridges that never corrode, aircraft that are stronger but lighter, and ultra-durable medical implants.


 

6. The Baghdad Battery: The Future of Low-Power Energy?

Ancient brown clay pot containing a Baghdad Battery, set against a rustic background. Beside it are a smaller pot and two round objects.

The Baghdad Battery, an ancient clay jar that may have functioned as a primitive battery, suggests that early civilisations might have discovered electricity long before we thought.


How Could It Change the World Today?

While it wouldn’t power a city, rediscovering its principles could inspire new, low-energy power sources for remote areas, medical implants, or archaeological conservation. Some scientists even believe that similar ancient knowledge could help in developing sustainable, small-scale energy storage systems for off-grid communities.


 

7. Tesla’s Wireless Energy: Free Electricity for the World?

Nikola Tesla claimed he could transmit electricity wirelessly using his Wardenclyffe Tower. If true, this could have eliminated the need for power lines and revolutionised global energy distribution.


How Could It Change the World Today?

If Tesla’s theories were fully realised, we could develop a wireless global energy grid, providing free or ultra-low-cost electricity to even the most remote locations. It could mean an end to power shortages, reduced reliance on fossil fuels, and a cleaner, more connected world.


However, there’s also a darker side—such technology could challenge powerful energy industries, leading to potential resistance from corporate and political interests.


 

8. Starlite: Fireproofing Everything?

British inventor Maurice Ward created Starlite, a material that could withstand extreme heat, nuclear explosions, and direct blowtorch flames without burning. Ward refused to share the formula, and when he died in 2011, it was lost with him.


How Could It Change the World Today?

If Starlite was recreated, it could revolutionise fireproofing, aerospace engineering, and even military defence. Imagine fire-resistant buildings, heat-proof spacesuits for astronauts, and even aircraft that could survive extreme temperatures.


 

9. Coral Castle: The Secret to Effortless Construction?

Edward Leedskalnin, the builder of Coral Castle, supposedly moved massive limestone blocks alone, claiming he had rediscovered the secrets of the ancient Egyptians.


How Could It Change the World Today?

If Leedskalnin truly found a way to lift enormous stones effortlessly, it could revolutionise construction and logistics. We could build skyscrapers faster, transport massive materials with minimal effort, and reduce energy costs in construction.


Some theorists speculate that this might involve acoustic levitation, a real scientific phenomenon where sound waves lift objects—something that, if controlled properly, could lead to entirely new ways of moving and building structures.


What Could We Rediscover Next?

With modern technology advancing rapidly, we’re getting closer to unlocking some of these lost secrets. Scientists are experimenting with Roman concrete, metallurgists are working on recreating Damascus steel, and engineers are re-evaluating Tesla’s energy experiments.


The question is: what else have we forgotten?


Are there ancient medical treatments that could cure modern diseases? Could there be lost knowledge of sustainable farming, hidden in old texts? What if the greatest technological breakthrough of the 21st century comes not from the future… but from the past?


One thing’s for sure: history still has secrets to reveal.

Elon Musk’s Bid to Acquire OpenAI: A Dangerous Power Grab?

Elon Musk’s Bid to Acquire OpenAI: A Dangerous Power Grab?

12 February 2025

Connor Banks

Want your article or story on our site? Contact us here

Elon Musk, the billionaire behind Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, has made an audacious $97.4 billion bid to acquire OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. This move, framed as a return to OpenAI’s non-profit origins, is widely seen as an attempt to consolidate even more power in the hands of Musk, whose growing influence within the U.S. government raises concerns about unchecked corporate control over artificial intelligence. Musk has long railed against OpenAI’s supposed deviation from its original mission, but in reality, this bid reeks of opportunism rather than altruistic desires.


Purple screen displaying "Introducing ChatGPT Plus" by OpenAI, with text about a pilot subscription for conversational AI. Green text and bars.

Elon Musk's Offer and OpenAI’s Response

Musk’s bid is backed by a consortium of investors, including Baron Capital Group, Valor Management, and Eight Partners VC. His stated goal is to bring OpenAI back to its original open-source, safety-focused AI development approach. However, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman swiftly rejected the offer, mocking Musk on social media and highlighting the hypocrisy of his sudden concern for OpenAI’s direction.


Altman responded with a direct statement: "No, thank you. But we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you’re interested." This sarcastic retort not only dismissed Musk’s bid but also referenced Musk’s own tumultuous acquisition of Twitter (now X), which has been widely criticised for its erratic management and steep decline in value since Musk took control.


The truth is, Musk’s involvement with OpenAI was never about philanthropy. After co-founding the organisation, he left in 2018 when his attempts to take over leadership were rebuffed. Since then, he has aggressively criticised OpenAI while working to build his own competing AI company, xAI. Now, his attempt to purchase OpenAI seems more like a desperate bid to maintain relevance in the AI race rather than any genuine concern for the ethical development of artificial intelligence.


Musk’s Government Role: A Clear Conflict of Interest

In January 2025, Musk was appointed as a special government employee, leading the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration. This position grants him the power to shape federal regulations and policies, including those governing artificial intelligence. If he successfully takes over OpenAI, Musk would be in the unprecedented position of both owning one of the most powerful AI companies in the world and shaping the very laws that regulate it.


This clear conflict of interest is nothing short of alarming. With his control over DOGE, Musk could weaken regulatory oversight on AI safety while advancing his own corporate interests. His past behaviour, such as gutting Twitter’s moderation policies and prioritising his personal business empire over public responsibility, suggests that he is unlikely to use such power responsibly.


Why Musk’s Takeover is Dangerous

  • Unchecked AI Monopoly: OpenAI is a leader in artificial intelligence research. If Musk acquires it, he could suppress competing AI innovations while monopolising the most advanced AI models for his own ventures. His history of aggressively eliminating competition suggests he would not hesitate to turn OpenAI into a weaponised asset for his empire.

  • Commercialisation Over Ethics: Musk frequently denounces OpenAI for prioritising profits, yet his own companies are aggressively profit-driven. His AI startup, xAI, is already integrating its technology into his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter). A Musk-owned OpenAI would likely prioritise revenue streams over genuine AI safety, contradicting his supposed concerns about ethical AI development.

  • Manipulating AI Regulation: Musk’s dual roles in business and government would give him extraordinary leverage over AI policy. He could push for deregulation that benefits his businesses, weakening necessary safeguards designed to prevent AI abuse and exploitation. This represents a profound threat to democratic oversight and technological ethics.


Deterioration of AI Research Transparency

While Musk preaches about open-source AI, he has a history of keeping key developments within Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI tightly controlled. Under his ownership, OpenAI could become more secretive, reducing transparency in AI research and hindering global cooperation on AI safety.


Regulatory and Legal Challenges

Given the blatant conflict of interest between Musk’s government role and his corporate ambitions, regulators must intervene. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Department of Justice should investigate whether Musk’s bid violates antitrust laws. There are also potential national security risks, given AI’s increasing role in cybersecurity, defence, and misinformation control.


If Musk is allowed to acquire OpenAI, the repercussions could be catastrophic. AI development would become even more concentrated in the hands of a single, unaccountable billionaire with a track record of erratic decision-making and self-serving business practices.


The Bigger Picture: The Musk Empire Expands

Musk already wields enormous influence across multiple industries, from electric vehicles to space exploration to social media. His attempt to control OpenAI is not about altruism—it is about dominance. If successful, he would have an iron grip over the future of artificial intelligence, steering it in ways that serve his personal vision while sidelining competitors and regulatory oversight.


This would not just impact AI development; it would shape how society interacts with AI on a fundamental level, from automation in industries to political discourse and national security. Musk has demonstrated time and again that he is willing to put personal power over public good, and there is no reason to believe this situation would be any different.


Stopping the Takeover Before It’s Too Late

Elon Musk’s bid to acquire OpenAI is not about returning it to its non-profit roots. It is a power play, designed to give him unprecedented control over the future of artificial intelligence while weakening regulatory checks that could hold him accountable. His history of self-interest, government manipulation, and anti-competitive behaviour suggests that such a takeover would be disastrous for AI ethics, innovation, and public trust.


Regulators, lawmakers, and industry leaders must take immediate action to block this acquisition and ensure that AI development remains in the hands of those committed to ethical progress, not a billionaire seeking yet another empire to control.

bottom of page