Thomas Newcomen, an English blacksmith, invented the powerful atmospheric steam engine in 1712. The first crude design and prototype of the steam engine was actually made by Thomas Savery in 1698, who in turn is actually rumored to have gotten the idea from Worcester. But, with no doubt, it was Newcomen of 1712 who combined the ideas of Huyghens, Papin, Savery, and many more men and successfully came up with a final plan that is said to be the direct predecessor of the steam engine that is used today.

The functions of the atmospheric steam engine are highly complex; it includes the workings of many different parts including the piston, the valve gear, and the cylinder (the steam engine itself is rather like a system—a combination of many different, smaller machines). Well, they all come together to make up the steam engine—a very revolutionary piece of work.

Although James Watt did not invent the steam engine, he did make significant improvements to the design. This version used the alternate addition and condensation of steam to create a vacuum in a cylinder which had a piston on one end. This device was used successfully to pump water out of mines. However, his design was inefficient, and in the early 1760’s, James Watt decided to improve it. In his design the cylinder containing the piston was always hot, to increase efficiency, and the condensation of the steam occurred separately. He also introduced insulation to help retain the heat.

His design was very successful and much more efficient than Newcomen’s version, thus reducing the amount of coal required to operate it. Soon James Watt’s steam engine was used to power various machinery, such as Richard Arkwright’s textile mills. This device was certainly one of the key inventions in the industrial revolution. As one enters the 1800s, one can clearly see that the steam engine (modified much by James Watt, in between) was adopted in America. Its new ways had an impact on the economy as well as the way of life: the steam engine was different news. It was like the new mitochondria—the new powerhouse—for the locomotives, steamboats, and factories.

*Pictures from:
"Rotary Steam Engine". Spartacus Educational. 5 Jan. 2004. <http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TEXrotary.htm> and <http://technology.niagarac.on.ca/people/mcsele/images/
newcdiag.jpg>

SOURCES:
About.com. Steam Engine History. 2 Jan. 2004 < http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blsteamengine.htm>.

• This site provided me with information on the invention of the steam engine, its uses, and how it works.

"The Invention of the Steam Engine : The Life of James Watt". About.com. 5 Jan. 2004. <http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blwatts.htm>

• This website describes James Watt’s life, and his invention of the steam engine.

"Rotary Steam Engine". Spartacus Educational. 5 Jan. 2004. <http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TEXrotary.htm>

• This website provides a short description of James Watt’s life, and his invention of the steam engine.

Bolon, Kendra. "The Steam Engine". 2001. 5 Jan. 2004. <http://www.udayton.edu/~hume/Steam/steam.htm>

• This website provides a history of the steam engine.