James Watt (1736-1819)

                                                            James Watt

James Watt born in Greenock in 1736 is famous for the invention of the Watt steam engine which was to power the Industrial Revolution. He also founded the unit measurement of horsepower unit of power known as the watt (W) which is named after him. Employed by Glasgow University as an instrument maker Watt worked on the repair of existing steam engines including the Newcomen steam engine. While repairing these steam engines Watt realised that a lot of energy was wasted in their repeated cooling. Watt designed and applied the separate condenser which greatly enhanced the power and efficiency of the existing steam engines. The separate condenser also increased their cost-effectiveness.which became a vital factor in their later adoption by industries. Watt later also adapted his new steam engine to produce rotary motion which enabled it to be used in a wide variety of industries. Watt had problems producing and his new steam engine until he met Matthew Boulton in Birmingham and with his skilled iron working artisans the engines were eventually produced. With their new company of Boulton and Watt these machines were successfully mass-produced. James Watt continued to make improvements to the design of his steam engine until his retirement.