Answer the questions below. The first steam-powered machine was built in 1698 by the English military engineer Thomas Savery. He called it “water by fire”. His invention, designed to pump water out of coal mines, was known as the Miner’s Friend. But because the engine’s pressure was too strong, it often caused explosions. Then in 1712, an English engineer, Thomas Newcomen (N-E-W-C-O-M-E-N) invented a more effective and practical steam engine. The Newcomen engine remained in use for more than 50 ...

Answer the questions below.

The first steam-powered machine was built in 1698 by the English military engineer Thomas Savery. He called it “water by fire”. His invention, designed to pump water out of coal mines, was known as the Miner’s Friend. But because the engine’s pressure was too strong, it often caused explosions. Then in 1712, an English engineer, Thomas Newcomen (N-E-W-C-O-M-E-N) invented a more effective and practical steam engine. The Newcomen engine remained in use for more than 50 years but they turned out to be inefficient as a lot of energy was required for the engine to run effectively. Indeed, the most important improvement in steam engine design was brought about in 1781 by the Scottish engineer James Watt (J-A-M-E-S W-A-T-T). He revolutionized the steam engine by making use of a separate condenser in the original design. When the financial backing became available, the engine was finally introduced in railways and ships. There were over 60,000 cars powered by steam during the years from 1897 to 1927 in the United States.