An old engraving of the Watt double-action steam engine of the mid-1700s. It is from a Victorian book of the 1890s on discoveries and inventions during the era. Alternatively known as the Boulton and Watt steam engine, it was an early steam engine, a vast improvement on the Thomas Newcomen 1712 design, and was one of the driving forces of the Industrial Revolution. James Watt developed the design from 1763 to 1775 with support from Matthew Boulton. In 1765 Watt had the idea of equipping the engine with a separate condensation chamber, which he called a ‘condenser’ (here bottom right).
An old engraving of the Watt double-action steam engine of the mid-1700s. It is from a Victorian book of the 1890s on discoveries and inventions during the era. Alternatively known as the Boulton and Watt steam engine, it was an early steam engine, a vast improvement on the Thomas Newcomen 1712 design, and was one of the driving forces of the Industrial Revolution. James Watt developed the design from 1763 to 1775 with support from Matthew Boulton. In 1765 Watt had the idea of equipping the engine with a separate condensation chamber, which he called a ‘condenser’ (here bottom right). Because the condenser and the working cylinder were separate, condensation occurred without significant loss of heat from the cylinder. Watt's design saved so much more fuel compared with earlier designs that they were licensed based on the amount of fuel they would save. Watt never ceased developing the steam engine, introducing double-acting designs (with two cylinders) and various systems for rotary power.
Size: 2922px × 3543px
Location: UK
Photo credit: © M&N / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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