A 19th-century model of Watt’s steam engine. This device was designed to demonstrate the operating principle of the steam engine by mechanically rotating a flywheel and connecting the machine to an external source of steam or compressed gas.

James Watt’s steam engine, developed in the latter half of the 18th century, was a revolutionary innovation that profoundly transformed industry and society, marking a pivotal moment in the Industrial Revolution. Watt, a Scottish mechanical engineer and inventor, did not invent the steam engine but introduced crucial modifications to an existing design, dramatically improving its efficiency and functionality.

Before Watt’s innovations, steam engines like those developed by Thomas Newcomen were primarily used to pump water out of mines. These machines were large, slow, and highly inefficient, consuming significant amounts of fuel for relatively minimal work. Watt’s most significant improvement was the introduction of a separate condenser. This innovation allowed the condensed steam to be removed from the main cylinder without cooling it, thereby greatly enhancing the engine’s efficiency.

Maciej Kluza, PhD (Museu da Universidade Jaguelônica, Collegium Maius)