Home > Categories > Science and Technology > Technology > Technology: Biographies > James Watt

James Watt

From: The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | Date: 2008

James Watt 1736-1819, Scottish inventor. While working at the Univ. of Glasgow as an instrument maker, Watt was asked to repair a model of Thomas Newcomen's steam engine. He devised improvements that resulted in a new type of engine (patented 1769) with a separate condensing chamber, an air pump to bring steam into the chamber, and parts of the engine insulated. He also perfected a rotary engine. Matthew Boulton financed Watt's work and was his partner (1775-80) in manufacturing the engines at Soho near Birmingham. Watt coined the term horsepower. The watt, a unit of electrical power, was named for him.

Bibliography: See his correspondence, Partners in Science, ed. by E. H. Robinson and D. McKie (1970); study by E. H. Robinson and A. E. Musson (1969).

Author not available, WATT, JAMES., The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition 2008

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press

For permission to reuse this article, contact Copyright Clearance Center.

Related articles from HighBeam Research:

	Interview: James Watt and Patricia Nelson Limerick discuss debate held at University of Colorado on public land use Weekend Edition - Sunday (NPR); 2/15/2004; STEVE INSKEEP; 1322 words; ... Sunday (NPR) 02-15-2004 Interview: James Watt and Patricia Nelson Limerick discuss ... former opponents this past week. James Watt battled environmental groups in the ... local resident listened politely as James Watt told them to get used to development ...
	Here and there James Watt items to be auctioned The Scotsman; 2/24/2003; JAMES JOHNSTON; 754 words; THERE is no doubt that James Watt was one of the greatest Scots of ... It has even been said that but for James Watt the industrial revolution might never ... a daughter, Margaret, and a son, James Watt, jun, survived. In 1776, Watt married ...
	Blue plaque honours the life of James Watt.(News) The Birmingham Post (England); 3/28/2003; 307 words; ... Lewis Industrial Revolution pioneer James Watt was honoured yesterday when Birmingham ... 17 Regent Place, in Hockley, where James Watt lived for 13 years in the middle ... occupying the site. Mr Gibson-Watt said: 'James Watt was clearly a remarkable man with ...
	Blue plaque honours the life of James Watt Birmingham Post; 3/28/2003; Zannah Lewis; 305 words; 00-00-0000 Industrial Revolution pioneer James Watt was honoured yesterday when Birmingham ... 17 Regent Place, in Hockley, where James Watt lived for 13 years in the middle ... occupying the site. Mr Gibson-Watt said: 'James Watt was clearly a remarkable man with ...
	U.S. REPRESENTATIVE JAMES CLYBURN (D-SC) U.S. REPRESENTATIVE JAMES CLYBURN (D-SC) HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE WITH REPRESENTATIVE WATT REGARDING THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT Washington Transcript Service; 7/26/2000; 4278 words; ... REPRESENTATIVES CLYBURN AND WATT HOLD NEWS CONFERENCE REGARDING ... U.S. REPRESENTATIVE JAMES CLYBURN (D-SC) U.S. REPRESENTATIVE MEL WATT (D-NC) U.S. REPRESENTATIVE ... me here today are Mel Watt, who represents -- I ... our discussions Mel Watt agreed to chair a task ... now to yield to Mel ...
	James Watt's steam engine revolution.(News) Birmingham Mail (England); 4/15/2006; 909 words; ... late in August 1768 when James Watt decided to visit Matthew ... to become involved with Watt and was not ashamed to ... took several years before Watt was able to extricate himself ... organiser and publicist, whilst Watt was do what he did best ... began using a Boulton and Watt engine ... .
	Brewery venture is maturing nicely Friends Martin Dickie and James Watt have joined forces to set up a new brewery in the north-east. Keith Findlay spoke to them about their plans for the business Press and Journal, The Aberdeen (UK); 3/28/2007; 709 words; Friends Martin Dickie and James Watt have joined forces to set ... with an old school pal, James Watt, to set up a brewery in ... skippered by his father, Jim Watt. "I didn't really fancy ... an office all day," said James, who is originally from ...
	James Watt's steam engine revolution Birmingham Mail; 4/15/2006; Carl Chinn; 861 words; ... that day late in August 1768 when James Watt decided to visit Matthew Boulton at ... for the world. A Scot from Greenock, Watt's probing mind and mathematical aptitude ... enquiries. A master of problem solving, Watt's thirst for knowledge was all embracing ...
	EX-INTERIOR BOSS JAMES WATT IS SPARED JAIL.(News) Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Seattle, WA); 3/13/1996; 467 words; Former Interior Secretary James Watt was spared a jail sentence yesterday ... investigating a government housing scandal. Watt, who served in the Reagan administration ... term of up to six months. In sentencing Watt, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ...
	The legacy of James Watt becomes city's treasure.(News) The Birmingham Post (England); 3/22/2003; 478 words; ... city's Industrial Revolution pioneer James Watt. The city's Museum and Art Gallery ... portrait of Matthew Boulton, partner of James Watt, which was bought for pounds 85,000 ... have more than doubled in size our James Watt collection and we have purchased ...
	Putting the earning into learning; James Watt College is not just a centre of excellence it's a thriving business, finds David Steele The Sunday Herald; 6/9/2002; David Steele; 980 words; ... change been more dramatic than at James Watt College. It is the biggest and most ... education is now big business, and James Watt College turns over (pounds) 34m a ... education students in Scotland. The James Watt College story is one of remarkable ...
	JAMES WATT PLEADS GUILTY TO TRYING TO INFLUENCE JURY.(NEWS/NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL) Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO); 1/3/1996; 351 words; ... NEW YORK TIMES WASHINGTON -- Former Interior Secretary James Watt pleaded guilty Tuesday to a single misdemeanor charge ... LIB2 LIB2 CAPTION(S): PHOTO Former Interior Secretary James Watt arrives at court Tuesday. Woman is unidentified. By Ron ...
	The perfect time to start learning; If you fancy a new challenge for the new year, then James Watt might have the answer.(News) Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland); 12/7/2006; 396 words; JAMES Watt College's fast-track courses to help students ... Certificate (NC) Media and Design course at James Watt last January. He said: I've always had a ... HND level course. January-start courses at James Watt College include Art and Design, Business ...
	James Watt has right course for you to succeed Evening Times; 8/12/2003; 340 words; James Watt College is the biggest of its kind in Scotland ... they will probably use when they get a job. James Watt's main campus at Finnart, near the centre ... conferences on the campus. The flexibility James Watt College can offer, and its numerous campuses ...
	The legacy of James Watt becomes city's treasure Birmingham Post; 3/22/2003; Sophie Blakemore; 467 words; ... city's Industrial Revolution pioneer James Watt. The city's Museum and Art Gallery ... portrait of Matthew Boulton, partner of James Watt, which was bought for pounds 85,000 ... have more than doubled in size our James Watt collection and we have purchased ...