JAMES WATT (1736 - 1819)
The Scotish inventor James Watt improved the design of the early steam engine, ensuring that it could be used successfully throughout industry. He refined the steam engine designed by the English engineer Thomas Newcomen (1663 - 1729) and made it more efficient. Watt's work helped to bring about the industrial revolution in Britian.
The new Watt steam engines provided much of the power for Britain's industries during the 1800s. The watt(W), the unit of power, is named for James Watt. The power of most electrical devices, such as light bulbs and heaters is reted in watts.
