James Watt
James Watt was born 19th January 1736 at Greenock and at this time no one would have even imagined his effect on the Industrial Revolution that was to occur within that century. When James was fifteen he had read books about and become accustomed to Philosophy (similar to modern physics). He had also completed many of his own chemical experiments and even started produce and construct his own products such as a small electronic device that startled his companions.
He soon became interested in astronomy and often spent long hours at night, lying in a grove near his home studying the night sky. He also enjoyed angling as his hobby and completed odd jobs to become known as a jack-of-all-trades. He sold and mended spectacles,
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He then turned towards making musical instruments for a period of time, most likely to keep ahead financially. In 1763 though, he had the greatest influential experience in his whole life. The University of Glasgow asked James to repair one of Thomas Newcomen's steam engine models that was not functioning correctly.
It was at this stage in James Watt's life that he began learning the principals behind the workings of a steam engine. He learnt information from his friend Dr. Black about heat; temperature and the properties of steam itself. After studying steam engines for a period he became the only person with enough knowledge to improve on the steam engine at that time. Even though Newcomen had already developed the steam engine before James Watt, it was about to be improved substantially without even knowing the results it would have on the industrial revolution. As Watt was fixing the machine he was intrigued on how much fuel it burned. He then thought about ways to reduce the fuel consumption and found out it was mostly caused by the pistons and other metal work heating cooling, always requiring extra heat.
James Watt then constructed a new steam engine with an insulated main cylinder that allowed the metal work to stay constantly hot reducing the fuel by almost 75%. He also worked on a condenser which re-uses five-sixths (5/6) of the wasted steam by condensing it back to water. He was also great at adapting a leather
His genius flourished in the post-civil war period with a lot of room in the invention space his entering skills were the gold of the time. Working with alexander gram bell on the telephone he helps draft the patent for bell's design for the telephone. He was also involved in the field of incandescent lighting, a particularly competitive field, working for Hiram Maxim and Thomas Edison.
“The water-frame used the waterpower from fast-flowing streams to drive spinning wheels.” (course reader 102) Then there was the introduction of the steam engine and power-loom. Due to an expired patent, James Watt decided to create his version of the steam engine for use in a cotton mill plant and introduced a system for the factory that was revolutionary. As a result, wages and manufacturing of cotton and iron really increased. This helped get more work done in less time and gave people jobs. (Document 2) The steam engines also helped get the economy ramped up by being able to bring supplies to the cities and more jobs to people. The steam engines provided jobs because they needed miners, engineers, and sailors who could build the canals and railroads for this transportation. As a result, they could bring supplies to the cities which also increased farmland available to produce more food for everyone. (Document 3) The steam engine brought in railroad development, industrialization and changes to the population. (Document 9) With the growth of railways and transportation, from 1801-1851, many cities were developed within the central part of Great Britain and the population
The most successful steam engine, built by Thomas Newcomen, was used to clean water out of the mines, which meant more coal to power more steam engines, which led James Watt to see the opportunity for improvement. Watt’s newer engine made railroads and steamboats possible. Actually almost all electricity all over the world, whether from coal or nuclear power is just a steam engine, which shows how truly revolutionary the steam engine was.
His invention directly helped in the industrial
Many engineers were starting to create beneficial inventions that would impact many lives. For example, Henry Bessemer was an English engineer who created the Bessemer process, a process of producing steel. This made steel an
One significant innovation was the engine that was created in 1712 by Thomas Newcomen. It was, first created to be used in navigation and succeeding to power machinery which revolutionized the world and started the industrial era. The engine acts as a powerhouse making machines move, but needs fuel to keep it running. Mechanical Engineers are assigned to learn the functions of the engine itself and understand how to further improve it by making it reduce the consumption of fuel or to increase the power output. Unlike automobiles, ships and airplanes with their size, still need lots of fuel due to tremendous power needed to be able to move. Cars that run using electricity do not handle gas for fuel, making it eco-friendly, however they do not provide as much power as the cars that run with gas.
In the same year, James Watt and Matthew Boulton had also created the steam engine (23/02/24). Hugh Zimmerbaum, a historian on study.com stated that the steam engine “. led to transformations in industry, such the introduction of steam-powered factory machines, and transportation, such as steam locomotives and steamships,” (21/11/23). The Science and Industry Museum also states that “the water frame made it possible to spin cotton yarn more quickly and in greater quantities than ever before,” (29/07/19). These inventions that were created ultimately changed the lives of so many people, making things easier and more efficient for industry production.
The idea of using steam as a force to power machinery was not new during the seventeen hundreds; it had already been mentioned by ancient Greek scholars. It was scientist such as James watt that refined that idea to create the steam engine (Live science, 2012). The concept is simple, water is heated by coal and the resulting steam acts as a driving force for the machines, similar to how the rivers flow powered the mills (Live science, 2012). Water power meant that factories were limited to certain locations, however steam powered factories could did not have such constraint (Live science, 2012). The steam engine expanded industries all over Britain. First, it improved the coal industry by pumping water out of coal mines, making it safe from flooding (Live science, 2012). Secondly, the
kite during a lightening storm. Perhaps you picture him a older man with spectacles propped up on his nose standing in a great room full of distinguished gentlemen signing the Declaration of Independence. Both of these facts about Benjamin Franklin's life would be true. However, there was so much more to Mr. Franklin. He was a diplomat, a statesman, a scientist, and a writer. His contributions to our society were more than just to America but to the world. For the purpose of this paper we will just discuss the inventions he produced which had a world impact. (Fish 2).
Thomas Savory created the very first steam engine in 1698, however it was hardly used due to its unreliability ().Savory's engine was widely advertised, however it could only be put under a certain amount of pressure before it exploded (). Industrialist Matthew Boulton brought Watt over to England to work with him on building his steam engine, providing him with the inventors and equipment needed to complete the engine ().Watt moved to the center of the Industrial Revolution in Birmingham, England, working with other inventors to build his steam engine (). Many different industrialists were able to provide their facilities and equipment to help Watt make his steam engine (). Boulton, partnering with Watt, was able to acquire a 25 year extension to Watt's patent, allowing Watt to build over 500 steam
James Watt - he was born on January 30th 1736 and died on January 19th 1736. He was a Scottish inventor, a mechanical engineer, and a chemist. He helped make Thomas Newcomen's 'Newcomen steam engine' better by using his Watt steam engine. This helped the whole world. He is important because he he made steam engines work. Before this they had been worked by water wheels and were hopeful that the tides would keep working. Now manufacturing go on all the time and work well because of steam
The introduction of an a highly efficient steam engine by Thomas Watt in 1769 was undoubtedly a crucial factor in the advent of the industrial revolution. This made it possible for mills and later factories to be located nearly anywhere by eliminating the necessity of a running stream to provide power. It was the rise of the factory system of manufacture with its strategy for the specialization of labor which contributed most to the
A man by the name of James Watts introduced the first steam powered engine that would soon be used to power several forms of transportation. The steam engine had been around for a while, but wasn’t as advanced and wasn’t used on such a large scale such as powering transportation. Boats had been used for centuries for the main forms of transport, however, when Robert Fulton put the new steam engine to work to power a steamboat, it meant even more capital for businessmen. More jobs were created as the waterways were widened and dug deeper for the steamboats. Captains and crews were also formed to man the boats.
The steam engine can easily be considered the single most important invention of the entire industrial revolution. There is not one part of industry present in today's society that can be examined without coming across some type of reference or dependence upon the steam engine. But, who deserves the credit for this great invention? Some give the credit to James Watt while others claim that Thomas Newcomen was the original inventor. However, the idea of the
The steam engine can easily be considered the single most important invention of the entire industrial revolution. There is not one part of industry present in today's society that can be examined without coming across some type of reference or dependence upon the steam engine. But, who deserves the credit for this great invention? Some give the credit to James Watt while others claim that Thomas Newcomen was the original inventor.