James Watt
Invented the steam engine – used to power machines, locomotives and boats.
James Watt was a Scottish engineer and inventor who is credited with the development of the modern steam engine. He was born on January 19, 1736, in Greenock, Scotland, and died on August 25, 1819, in Birmingham, England.
Watt was initially trained as a scientific instrument maker, and it was in this capacity that he was first introduced to the steam engine. In 1763, he was asked to repair a Newcomen steam engine, which was then widely used in mines to pump water out of the shafts. Watt observed that the engine was inefficient, and he began to conceive of ways to improve its performance.
In 1765, Watt had a breakthrough when he developed the separate condenser, which allowed the steam to be used more efficiently. This invention greatly improved the efficiency of the steam engine and led to its widespread use in many applications, including transportation and manufacturing.
Over the course of his career, Watt continued to refine and improve upon his steam engine design, and he also made important contributions to other fields, including chemistry and measuring instruments. His innovations helped to catalyze the Industrial Revolution and have had a profound impact on the modern world.
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