Voltaire as student of fire science, manufacture and man of business

Voltaire (1694-1778) is known mostly as a brilliant French Man of Letters whose writings are abundantly addressed by the litterati. Little known are his engagements in manufacturing, in making financial deals and in researching into Fire Science (related to the casting and forging activities pursued near to his residence). He is better known for a modest degree of involvement in the successful and popular dissemination of Newtonian physics and optics throughout France in the decade after 1738. The author here presents a short review of the work of Voltaire in the three areas referred to; they should have especial interest for historically-minded engineers.