James Watt Inventor and Engineer 1736-1819

James Watt was born in Greenock, near Glasgow, in 1736. His adaptations to the Steam Engine allowed much of the developments that occurred in the Industrial Revolution. He turned the steam engine into something powerful enough to change the World.

He was ill as a child, and this prevented him from attending state schooling. He was taught at home, and showed an apptitude for Maths at an early age. Watt was also fascinated by machines, and loved taking things to pieces to find out how they worked.

After a year in London training as a Mathematical Instrument Maker, he returned to Glasgow to set up his own workshop. Since he had not spent seven years as an apprentice, he found work difficult to come by (despite being the only such instrument maker in Scotland). The professors at Glasgow University allowed him to work alongside him, and his relationships with them allowed him to have access to knowledge not available outside academic institutions.

Four years on, he began to study steam engines. He managed to get hold of the University's model of a Newcomen Engine - which was broken - and tried to repair it himself. Through the repair work, he noticed that it was inefficient. He designed his own improved engine, and set to work producing a full-scale model for demonstration.

After a number of struggles, he was eventually able to complete the engine when he partnered with businessman Matthew Boulton. Together, they were able to both build the machine - and battle through the legal problems trying to get it patented.

Watt retired in 1800, and traveled around Europe before settling in Wales. He spent a number of years improving his estate, and continued inventing. Watt also invented one of the first photocopiers.

James Watt was listed number 22 on Michael H. Hart's "The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History."

He died in 1819.