The 2.0/Space-Age design philosophy around trigger techs is that early-game techs should be unlocked slowly as you discover more resources, etc, and you should be able to use those resources in the discovered tech.
Right now, discovering "Steam Power" unlocks pipe, which you can't actually make without also mining and processing Lead.
I feel like "Steam Power" should require 50 Lead plates as well as 50 Steel plates, rather than just 50 steel plates.