Steam Engine Invention

The invention of the steam engine was an important milestone in the Industrial Revolution. There is no simple answer to the question who invented steam engine. James Watt is often credited with the invention. However, technically speaking, James Watt brought about developments in the original design. The steam engine became symbolic to the Industrial Revolution. Most of the early developments during the Industrial Revolution revolved around this important invention of that time.

Invention of Steam Engine

In the year 1698, the most primitive form of steam engine was patented by Mr. Thomas Savery. It was a simple machine used in pumping water out of coal mines; it had no moving parts and used up huge quantities of coal. Thomas Newcomen made improvements in this machine. He added a movable piston in the original design for the steam to displace it and perform the necessary work. The engine, however, was of no significant use even after the improvements made by Thomas Newcomen. It was only in the year 1763 that James Watt started improving this machine.

Working of Steam Engine

The mechanism of working used by the steam engine is simple to understand. The steam needed to run this engine is produced in a boiler outside the actual engine. Flow of steam in the engine is directed through valves. Pistons present in the engine are moved with the help of pressure generated by the steam. These pistons move in an oscillatory motion; a crankshaft is used in the conversion of oscillatory motion to rotatory motion.

Steam Engine Invention Date

It is difficult for us to confirm a single date on which the steam engine was invented; this is because there is no single inventor and also the technology saw gradual improvements over a period of time. Thus, it is also difficult to answer the question, who invented the first steam engine. A steam power rotating ball was invented in 100 AD (circa) by Heron of Alexandria. Later on, in 1690, a working model of steam engine was created by a physicist from France, known as Denis Papin. The information about contributions of Thomas Savery and Thomas Newcomen has already been provided in the paragraphs above.

Contribution of James Watt

James Watt improved the engine made by Thomas Newcomen. The pistons used in this engine could be moved to-and-fro. The most important thing about these engines was that a crankshaft was used in the conversion of back and forth motion to circular motion. This engine consumed 75% less coal than the one made by Newcomen. Circular motion produced by the steam engine lead to the development of locomotives. These locomotives were used by industries for transportation. Thus, the steam engine is the most important Industrial Revolution invention.

The models of engines developed by Thomas Newcomen and James Watt didn't make full use of the steam power. Their machines were actually powered by vacuum. The vacuum in this case was created by condensation of steam. The role of steam in functioning of the engine was limited up to the task of compensating for the atmospheric pressure; it helped in moving the piston back and forth. Richard Trevithick developed engines in which steam was forced under high pressure. The size of these engines too was reduced to great extent; thus, it became easy to transport the engines thereafter.

The steam engine invention brought about a sea change in the industrial scene. Speed of industrial development increased manifold. Therefore, the steam engine is considered as one of the biggest inventions by man.