Part 2/12:
In the early 20th century, concepts like roller ships—vessels equipped with gigantic wheel-like structures designed to reduce friction—captured imaginations. Though intriguing, these ideas remained largely theoretical. More tangible progress emerged in Japan during the 1990s, notably with the development of Yamato-1, the world's first ship powered by a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) drive. Unlike conventional engines, MHD propulsion uses electromagnetic forces to interact directly with seawater, eliminating the need for traditional propellers or jets.