Steam Engine, Coal and Iron
The Industrial Revolution saw major progress in steam power, beginning with Thomas Newcomen’s steam engine (1705) for pumping water from mines.
James Watt improved this engine in 1764, making it far more efficient by adding a separate condenser, leading to widespread industrial use.
Steam engines increased demand for railways, making factories no longer dependent on water sources.
The rise of steam power created a huge demand for coal, leading to expanded but dangerous mining operations involving men, women, and children.
Advancements in mining included ventilation, better transport, gunpowder use, and safety lamps, though health hazards remained severe.
The iron industry also advanced: Abraham Darby used coke to produce pig iron (1709), saving forests previously used for charcoal.
Henry Cort developed wrought iron (1784), a stronger, less brittle metal crucial for machines and tools.
John Wilkinson improved precision with his drilling machine (1774), boosting machinery quality.
Growth in iron and textiles created urgent need for better transportation, further accelerating industrial expansion.