Steam Engine Innovation and Diffusion in Britain (1712-1850)

1. Savery patents steam-powered mine pump

   Jul 2, 1698Labels: Thomas Savery, Mine pump

   • Savery
   • Monaco

2. Fire Engine Act extends Savery’s patent rights

   Jan 1, 1699Labels: Fire Engine, Parliament

   • Savery

3. Newcomen engine first recorded near Dudley Castle

   Jan 1, 1712Labels: Newcomen engine, Dudley Castle

   • Britannica
   • Nature

4. Newcomen engines spread across British mining regions

   Jan 1, 1733Labels: Newcomen engines, British coalfields

   • Newcomen
   • Memorial

5. Watt receives separate condenser patent (No. 913)

   Jan 5, 1769Labels: James Watt, Separate condenser

   • Science Museum
   • Monaco

6. Wilkinson develops precision boring for engine cylinders

   Jan 1, 1774Labels: John Wilkinson, Precision boring

   • Wilkinson
   • Watt engine

7. Boulton and Watt form partnership; patent extended

   Jan 1, 1775Labels: Boulton &, Patent extension

   • Britannica
   • Watt

8. First commercial Watt engines begin operating

   Jan 1, 1776Labels: Watt engines, Commercial installations

   • Watt
   • ASME

9. Watt patents sun-and-planet gear for rotary motion

   Oct 1, 1781Labels: Sun-and-planet gear, James Watt

   • Britannica
   • Sun planet

10. Watt patents double-acting steam engine improvements

    Mar 12, 1782Labels: Double-acting engine, James Watt

    • Britannica
    • Patents

11. Soho Foundry established to manufacture engines at scale

    Jan 1, 1795Labels: Soho Foundry, Boulton &

    • Historic England
    • Soho Foundry

12. Trevithick demonstrates workable high-pressure engines

    Jan 1, 1799Labels: Richard Trevithick, High-pressure engine

    • Trevithick
    • Rail history

13. Watt’s main steam-engine patent expires

    Jun 1, 1800Labels: Watt patent, Boulton &

    • Watt
    • Science Museum

14. Woolf patents high-pressure compound steam engine

    Jan 1, 1804Labels: Arthur Woolf, Compound engine

    • Britannica

15. Penydarren locomotive hauls a rail journey in Wales

    Feb 21, 1804Labels: Penydarren locomotive, Richard Trevithick

    • Trevithick
    • Rail history

16. Lean’s Engine Reporter launches Cornish “duty” competition

    Jan 1, 1810Labels: Lean s, Cornwall

    • Lean

17. Woolf introduces compound engines in Cornish mines

    Jan 1, 1812Labels: Woolf engines, Cornish mines

    • Britannica
    • Britannica

18. Cornish pumping engine becomes leading efficiency standard

    Jan 1, 1813Labels: Cornish pumping, Cornwall

    • Lean
    • Britannica
    • Britannica 1911