Page "Industrial Revolution" Paragraph 14

* Steam power – The improved steam engine invented by James Watt and patented in 1775 was at first mainly used to power pumps for pumping water out of mines, but from the 1780s was applied to power other types of machines.

This enabled rapid development of efficient semi-automated factories on a previously unimaginable scale in places where waterpower was not available.

For the first time in history people did not have to rely on human or animal muscle, wind or water for power.

The steam engine was used to pump water from coal mines ; to lift trucks of coal to the surface ; to blow air into the furnaces for the making of iron ; to grind clay for pottery ; and to power new factories of all kinds.

For over a hundred years the steam engine was the king of the industries.