The steam engine was a very important invention. "Steam can be made at any time simply by boiling water, so it is more dependable than wind or water energy" (Norbeck 34-36). The heating and cooling of steam in cylinder causes pistons to move up and down. The simplest of a steam engine is used as a boiler. This was a common household heating system. The efficiency of the steam engine was very low; there fore they were later replaced by steam turbines. The first piston engine was invented in 1690 by a French inventor named Denis Papin and was used for pumping water. "Why not find a way to use heat energy" (Garrat 12). It had a single cylinder that operated as a boiler; a small amount of water was added and heated to form steam. The steam

Thomas Newcomen invented the first steam engine in 1705 although it wasn't very efficient; it was used for pumping water for coal mines. James Watt improved Newcomen's engine in the 1760's. He produced the first type of double acting engine. "One after another hand operations were replaced by machines" (Lipkin).

Steam turbines produce a rotary motion; it works the same way as a water turbine, except its energy comes from expanding steam. It turns a set of main rotating blades on a wheel. Steam turbines rotate very fast and have no vibrations, unlike the back and forth motion of pistons. Steam engines work great in steam ships, and electric power plants.

Since the steam engine was invented we have came along way with engines. Now we are making power by nuclear power plants and things have become much more industrialized. We are always looking for new ideas and ways to improve energy efficiency.

Steam engines are considered to be external combustion engine because, the fuel is burned outside of the cylinders. An example of internal combustion en

Some common words found in the essay are:
James Watt, Thomas Newcomen, Industrial Revolution, Denis Papin, , steam engine, engine steam, steam turbines, thomas newcomen invented, compound engine, power steam, power plants, newcomen invented, engine invented, combustion engine, pumping water,
Approximate Word count = 719
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)