James Watt And His Steam Engine, 1820-1840

The Great Change

The Industrial Revolution represented great change, from the year 1760 to 1820-1840. This movement began from Great Britain and it affected the way people lived. Some inventors that contributed to the process were James Watt and his steam engine (Watt’s Steam Engine), John McAdam (road transportation), and finally George Stephenson and his son Robert Stephenson (The Liverpool- Manchester Railroad). The question asked was which set of inventions caused the greatest change and what were some pros and cons of the inventions? Throughout the essay this will be answered, as it will be talking about the inventors and inventions and the pros and cons of the inventions.

James Watt was born January 9th 1736 in Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland. James Watt was an inventor and an instrument maker. For a short while Watt was taught at home by his mother, and at the age of 17 he took the decision of being a mathematical-instrument maker. In 1755 he went to London where he found a professional to teach him. In 1763 to 1775 James Watt improved the steam engine he made it so that it would loose less steam. The Watts steam engine was important to the Industrial Revolution because it was a new and important source of power. The steam engine was more dependable then water or wind devices. Also steam engines could be placed wherever they were needed. James Watt wrote “I perceived that, to make the best use of steam, it was necessary . . . that the cylinder should be maintained