James Watt quotes

James Watt was a Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer, most famous for his improvements to the steam engine. His innovations played a crucial role in driving the Industrial Revolution. He transformed transportation and manufacturing, shaping the modern world. Here are 7 of his quotes:

It is not worth my while to manufacture in three countries only; but I can find it very worthwhile to make it for the whole world.

James Watt

In Newcomen's engine, the piston is kept tight by water.

James Watt

I proposed to remedy this defect by employing wax, tallow, or other grease, to lubricate and keep the piston tight. It next occurred to me.

James Watt

It now appeared that the cylinder of the model, being of brass, would conduct heat much better than the cast-iron cylinders of larger engines.

James Watt

I perceived that, in order to make the best use of steam, it was necessary-first, that the cylinder should be maintained always as hot as the steam which entered it; and, secondly, that when the steam was condensed, the water of which it was composed, and the injection itself, should be cooled down to 100°, or lower, where that was possible. The means of accomplishing these points did not immediately present themselves; but early in 1765 it occurred to me, that if a communication were opened between a cylinder containing steam, and another vessel which was exhausted of air and other fluids, the steam, as an elastic fluid, would immediately rush into the empty vessel, and continue so to do until it had established an equilibrium; and if that vessel were kept very cool by an injection, or otherwise, more steam would continue to enter until the whole was condensed.

James Watt

When once the idea of the separate condensation was started, all these improvements followed as corollaries in quick succession, so that in the course of one or two days the invention was thus far complete in my mind, and I immediately set about an experiment to verify it practically.

James Watt