Watts statue

James Watt was a famous British modern scientist, the inventor of the refined steam engine, born on January 19, 1736. his father was a skilled shipbuilder and subsequently a businessman. His mother was born in the famous aristocracy, in his childhood, not only taught Watt language and mathematics, but also cultivated his ability to observe the interest of thinking and hands-on practice. Watt was sick from the small body, after school, he did not like intense activities, and often thought alone. Once Watt saw the water of the boiler opened, the steam covered the ground, he looked at the water boiler for an hour, which was the first time he had a strong interest in steam.

Watt dropped out of grammar school before he graduated because of his ill health. Since then, he hasn't been to a regular school. He insisted on self-study at home, studying astronomy, chemistry, physics, anatomy and other sciences, and mastering Latin, Greek, French, German and Italian. At the same time, he often learned technology from the workers and technicians in his father's workshop, made various mechanical models and engaged in chemical and electrical experiments.

At the age of 17, Watt's father's business failed and his home went down. He first went to a watch store to learn craftsmanship and then to London's contemporary famous mechanics; at the age of 21, he worked as a repairman, and later he met renowned chemist Blake and physics professor Rubinson; from them he learned a lot of scientific theoretical knowledge.

As early as the 2nd century BC, human beings had a certain knowledge of the understanding and utilization of steam. By the time of Watt's life, there was already a "Newcomen steam engine". However, this kind of steam engine has large fuel consumption and low efficiency. It can only move in a straight line reciprocating and cannot be widely used in various production departments. Watt summed up the experience of his predecessors, and after repeated reforms and experiments, it took ten years of energy to finally invent a new steam engine.

The widespread use of new steam engines has driven the progress of human society, as Engels said: ¡°Steam and new industrial machinery have transformed the craftsmanship into a modern big industry, and thus revolutionized the whole foundation of bourgeois society.