Long before much progress had been made in correlating physical laws into the science of physics, the Chinese had discovered the gustatory merits of roast pig when the house in which the pig was temporarily or permanently in residence burned down. So physical principles have been applied to food processing and preparation since the dawn of history. It is a matter of legend that the fabled Chinese, although unaware of the scientific aspect of the event, was compensated for the disaster to his property by the delights of nibbling on roasted pig tail.