Steam Engine

The modern steam engine was originally invented by a collaboration of many different people, but there are three men’s original theories and patents that take most of the claim:  Thomas Savery, Thomas Newcomen, and James Watts.

Thomas Savery came up with the original and very crude design of a steam engine when he was trying to find ways to pump water out of coal mines around beginning of the 18th Century.  Thomas Newcomen and James Watts later improved and added new parts to Savery’s original steam engine design to create a much more efficient steam engine used for pumping water.

Steam engine’s power many modern day machines like cars, boats, and factories.  The invention of the steam engine was a catalyst of the Industrial Revolution, which has essentially shaped modern technology and the modern world.

Certain theoretical properties and components of the steam engine, as well as the scientific ideas that have been learned throughout the process of inventing and improving the steam engine, are used today to produce electricity in steam turbine generators.  A steam turbine generator uses similar techniques to a steam engine to harness the power of steam, and use the mechanical energy harnessed from steam to turn a steam turbine generator and produce electricity.