happy birthday to JAMES WATT, born on this date in 1736, whose contributions to the development of the STEAM ENGINE were instrumental in giving rise to the Industrial Revolution.
A happy birthday to JAMES WATT, born on this date in 1736, whose contributions to the development of the STEAM ENGINE were instrumental in giving rise to the Industrial Revolution. While working as an instrument maker at the University of Glasgow, Watt became interested in the technology of steam engines. He realised that contemporary engine designs wasted a great deal of energy by repeatedly cooling and re-heating the cylinder. Watt introduced a design enhancement, the separate condenser, which avoided this waste of energy and radically improved the power, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of steam engines. Eventually he adapted his engine to produce rotary motion, greatly broadening its use beyond pumping water. Watt attempted to commercialise his invention, but experienced great financial difficulties until he entered a partnership with Matthew Boulton in 1775. The new firm of Boulton and Watt was eventually highly successful and Watt became a wealthy man. In his retirement, W...