James Watt

Today, I learned about James Watt. James Watt made the first efficient and widely used steam pump. Later he develped this technology into many different things that helped bring the world into the Age of Steam.

The main invention I was learning about today, though, was the steam pump. Before the steam pump, mining was very difficult at great depths. Water would leak into the mines, and stop mining completely. Other pumps were invented before Watt's, but they required huge amounts of fuel, and were not very efficient. After much work, and much adversity, James was able to invent a much more efficient steam engine, that was more reliable and stable. He did this by condensing the steam in a seperate chamber, instead of right in the main chamber, like earlier engines did. The full explination is too long to fit here, but maybe this wikipedia article can shed some light on it.

After Watt had created the steam engine, he continued making advancements in steam technology, including double-action engines, which made the steam engine twice as powerful. Watt is credited with bringing the world into the age of steam, and paving the way for many other advancements, including electricity.

Below, you can a picture of his steam pump.

Here is a picture of a model steam engine I made myself.