How Did The Steam Engine Change Throughout The Industrial Revolution

Throughout human history, there have been various eras that have left their mark on the world. Notably, the Industrial Revolution was a turning point in human history. The time period brought in a plethora of changes, as production shifted from hand to machine. Of all the changes and developments to take place in the Industrial Revolution, the steam engine is the most significant one, as it led to portable power.

Throughout the Industrial Revolution, inventors and scientists harnessed portable power through steam engines for a multitude of tasks. The steam engine was originally invented by Thomas Newcomen, and was later improved and patented by James Watt in 1769. It worked by releasing steam into a chamber, which then expanded and pushed against a piston that moved. The movement of
The harnessing of steam energy in this way created a society less dependent on waterwheels and windmills, as they had the ability to construct or ship this engine anywhere it was needed. Now that people had the ability to generate power anywhere, not just next to a water source or windmill, they gained the ability to do a lot more things, leading to a flurry of advancements. Importantly, factories moved into cities as they didn’t need to be tethered to a moving water source, greatly increasing urbanization, as people moved to where their work was. This shift dictated and changed the lives of the majority of the population. Moreover, machines now have a better power source, making the production of goods even easier, improving the quality of life for everyone. The steam engine improved transportation massively with the introduction of steam powered vehicles, notably the steamboat, which was invented by American inventor Robert Fulton in 1807, and the steam locomotive, which George Stephenson invented in 1814. This revolutionized the transportation industry, as people could now move much