Watt Improves the Steam Engine
1765
Walking across Glasgow Green, the university instrument-maker James Watt realized he could add a separate condenser to Newcomen's engine and triple its efficiency. The insight took years to build into a machine. When it finally ran, it would pump mines, turn looms, and pull trains. The nineteenth century had its heartbeat.
In context
Also in 1765 (4 other events on record)
- Company Receives Diwani of Bengal · South Asia · Politics
- Stamp Act Passes · North America · Politics
- Joseph II Becomes Holy Roman Emperor · Europe · Politics
- Ali Bey al-Kabir Seizes Egypt · Middle East · Politics
Before and after in Europe
Before and after in Science
Era
Enlightenment (1651–1800), one of 696 events from that era on Saeculum.