"Physicists were the first to recognize the fundamental importance of energy in human affairs. In 1886, [[Ludwig Boltzmann]], one of the founders of thermodynamics, spoke about **free energy—energy available for conversions—as the Kampfobjekt (the object of struggle) for life, which is ultimately dependent on incoming solar radiation**." ([Location 545](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08SGC3TD3&location=545)) --- **Tags** -- [[quotes]], [[energy-conversion]], [[thermodynamics]] **Source** --