James Watt

James Watt (30 January 1736 (19 January 1736 OS) – 25 August 1819) was a Scottish inventor, mechanical engineer, and chemist who improved on Thomas Newcomen's 1712 Newcomen steam engine with his Watt steam engine in 1776, which was fundamental to the changes brought by the Industrial Revolution in both his native Great Britain and the rest of the world.

Early life and education

Watt was born in Greenock on 18 January 1736, the son of a shipwright and merchant. He was educated at home by his mother, who taught him reading, writing, and arithmetic, and by his father, who taught him practical skills such as carpentry and metalwork.

Career

Watt's career began in earnest when he moved to Glasgow in 1754 to work as a mathematical instrument maker. In 1763, he was asked to repair a model of a Newcomen steam engine which sparked his interest in the technology. He realised that the engine was inefficient and set about improving its design. His solution, which he patented in 1769, was to separate the condenser from the cylinder, thus improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the engine.

Legacy

Watt's improvements to the steam engine were a key factor in the Industrial Revolution, enabling factories to be sited away from coalfields and changing the fabric of society. His inventions also contributed to advances in areas such as transport and mining. Watt's work has been recognised by numerous awards and honours, including his burial in Westminster Abbey and a unit of power, the watt, being named after him.

See also

• Steam engine
• Industrial Revolution
• Thomas Newcomen

External links

• BBC - History - James Watt

James Watt Resources
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