Environmental History:Watt, James
Published: November 25, 2006, 5:00 pm
Updated: November 25, 2006, 5:00 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Peter Saundry
James Watt (1736-1819), a Scottish inventor, instrument maker and mechanical engineer, is renowned for his improvements on the steam engine. While working at the University of Glasgow as an instrument maker, Watt was asked to repair a model of Thomas Newcomen’s steam engine. He devised improvements that resulted in a new type of engine (patented 1769) with a separate condensing chamber, an air pump to bring steam into the chamber, and parts of the engine insulated. His initial steam engine was four times more powerful than the Newcomen engine. In 1781, he produced a rotary-motion steam engine that could drive many different types of machinery. Richard Arkwright began using Watt's steam engine in his textile factories in 1783, and by 1800, there were over 500 of Watt's machines in Britain's mines and factories. For this contribution, Watt’s steam engine is considered one of the driving forces behind the Industrial Revolution. Watt also coined the term horsepower, and he invented the flywheel. The watt, the SI unit of power, is named for him.
Further Readings
Biography of James Watt (Carl Lira, Michigan State University)
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Citation
Cutler J. Cleveland (Lead Author);Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Watt, James". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth November 25, 2006; Last revised Date November 25, 2006; Retrieved May 22, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Watt,_James?topic=49487>
The Author
Cutler J. Cleveland is Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, where he also is on the faculty of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. Professor Cleveland is Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Energy (Elsevier, 2004), winner of an American Library Association award, the Dictionary of Energy (Elsevier, 2005), Handbook of Energy (Elsevier, forthcoming), and is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. He is the recipient of the Adelma ... (Full Bio)
James Watt (1736-1819), a Scottish inventor, instrument maker and mechanical engineer, is renowned for his improvements on the steam engine. While working at the University of Glasgow as an instrument maker, Watt was asked to repair a model of Thomas Newcomen’s steam engine. He devised improvements that resulted in a new type of engine (patented 1769) with a separate condensing chamber, an air pump to bring steam into the chamber, and parts of the engine insulated. His initial steam engine was four times more powerful than the Newcomen engine. In 1781, he produced a rotary-motion steam engine that could drive many different types of machinery. Richard Arkwright began using Watt's steam engine in his textile factories in 1783, and by 1800, there were over 500 of Watt's machines in Britain's mines and factories. For this contribution, Watt’s steam engine is considered one of the driving forces behind the Industrial Revolution. Watt also coined the term horsepower, and he invented the flywheel. The watt, the SI unit of power, is named for him.
Further Readings
Biography of James Watt (Carl Lira, Michigan State University)
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Site Options
0 Comments
Add Comment