The Steam Engine
The invention of the steam engine was the cornerstone of the Industrial Revolution. Many subsequent inventions that drove the revolution either directly used the steam engine or would be inconsequential without it. Although the steam engine was not an American invention, it was the foundation for many great American inventions and a crucial component to the overall continental expansion of the United States.
A number of British inventors tinkered with the idea of a steam engine in the early 1700’s, but it wasn’t until 1769 that the Scottish inventor James Watt patented the first widely applicable steam engine (Bellis "Steam"). His design greatly increased the efficiency of the previous engine models by using insulating materials and maintaining certain components of the engine at the same temperature as the steam. This caused the steam to lose less heat to the surrounding materials and put more of its energy into mechanical output (driving a piston). Previous engines were not very practical due to their low power output per fuel consumption (coal or wood), but Watts model improved the efficiency enough for steam engines to become very practical, thus opening the door to many applications that would drive the Industrial Revolution. (Bellis "Watt")
A number of British inventors tinkered with the idea of a steam engine in the early 1700’s, but it wasn’t until 1769 that the Scottish inventor James Watt patented the first widely applicable steam engine (Bellis "Steam"). His design greatly increased the efficiency of the previous engine models by using insulating materials and maintaining certain components of the engine at the same temperature as the steam. This caused the steam to lose less heat to the surrounding materials and put more of its energy into mechanical output (driving a piston). Previous engines were not very practical due to their low power output per fuel consumption (coal or wood), but Watts model improved the efficiency enough for steam engines to become very practical, thus opening the door to many applications that would drive the Industrial Revolution. (Bellis "Watt")
Sources
Bellis, M. Steam Engine History. About.com Inventors. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blsteamengine.htm
Bellis, M. James Watt - Invention of the Modern Steam Engine.About.com Inventors. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from http://inventors.about.com/od/wstartinventors/a/james_watt.htm
Bellis, M. Steam Engine History. About.com Inventors. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blsteamengine.htm
Bellis, M. James Watt - Invention of the Modern Steam Engine.About.com Inventors. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from http://inventors.about.com/od/wstartinventors/a/james_watt.htm