Victorium

Victorium is a substance discovered by Prince Albert in 1845. It is a liquid at room temperature and is remarkable because, after appropriate preparations, may respond to the will of an operator by heating to 352 degrees Celsius almost instantly. This boils water rapidly and so a new approach to steam engineering less reliant upon coal and massive scale is coming to pass.

It's precise manufacture was kept a royally appointed secret until some miscreant stole a sample from the Great Exhibition of 1851. Red coats soon descended upon a warehouse in the docks, but a surprisingly bloody battle ensued and rumours are rife of strange hounds and humanoid monsters stalking the alleys for days afterwards. Since then doses of Victorium have become available to all social classes, whether Noble, Guilded. Military, Lower or Criminal, but it's acquisition is considered a favour above the plain cost in coin. Those who know how to manufacture it, even since the theft, have wanted to keep the secret of manufacture.