Who invented the steam engine?

1736 ~ 18 19

Scottish inventor james watt, often called the inventor of the steam engine, was a key figure in the industrial revolution.

In fact, Watt was not the first person to invent the steam engine. In the 1st century AD, Alexander Hiro designed a similar machine .. 1698, and Thomas Zavili obtained the patent right to pump water with a steam engine. 17 12, Thomas Coleman, an Englishman, obtained a slightly improved patent for a steam engine. Niukaomen steam engine is inefficient and can only be used for coal mine drainage.

1764, watt became interested in this kind of machine when he was repairing Niukaomen steam engine. Although Watt received only one year's mechanical manufacturing training, he has an extraordinary genius for invention. His improvement of Cogate machine was so important that people thought he invented the first practical steam engine.

Watt's first major innovation was the addition of an independent condensation chamber, which was patented in 1769. He also isolated the steam cylinder from the outside world and invented the double-acting engine in 1782. Together with some minor innovations, these inventions have improved the efficiency of steam engines by at least four times. In fact, the improvement of efficiency means the difference between a flashy device and a machine with great industrial value.

178 1 year, Watt also invented a set of gears to convert the reciprocating motion of the steam engine into rotary motion. This set of gears has increased the use of steam engines. Watt also invented centrifugal governor (1788), manometer (1790), counter, indicator, throttle valve and many other instruments that can automatically adjust the running speed of steam engines.

Watt himself doesn't have a good business mind. However, in 1775, he established the Watt-Burton Company in partnership with Marlowe Burton, a very capable businessman and engineer. The company produced a large number of steam engines, and both shareholders became rich.

The importance of the steam engine cannot be overestimated. Of course, many other inventions appeared in the industrial revolution, such as mining, smelting and many industrial machinery. Several of these inventions, such as the pulley shuttle (john kay, 1733) and the Leni spinning machine (James Hargraves method, 1764), all appeared before Watt started. Most other inventions only represent minor changes, and none of them can play a decisive role in the industrial revolution alone. However, the steam engine is different. It plays a key role. Without it, the industrial revolution would be beyond recognition. Before it, although windmills and waterwheels had certain uses, the main power source was always the human body, which seriously limited industrial productivity. With the invention of the steam engine, this limitation was eliminated. Now there is huge energy available for production, and the output has also increased greatly. 1973 oil embargo makes us realize how seriously the lack of energy will hinder the development of industry. This experience will make us realize the significance of Watt's invention to the industrial revolution.

Besides being the power of the factory, the steam engine has many other important uses. 1783, Marquis Juferroy Dabans successfully used a steam engine to drive a ship. Richard Trevisi restrained himself from building the first steam locomotive. However, these two models are not successful economically. However, in a few decades, ships and railways have completely changed land and water transportation.

Historically, the industrial revolution appeared almost simultaneously with the American revolution and the French revolution. Although people did not seem to have a clear understanding of the industrial revolution at that time, today we can see that its role in human daily life is obviously much more important than those two great political revolutions. Therefore, james watt is one of the most influential figures in history.