James Watt
James Watt Born 1736 at Greenoch
Watt, did not, as many believe, invent the Steam Engine.

In 1764 Watt, who was working at the University of Edinburgh as an instrument maker, was given a Newcomen steam engine to repair. While working on the engine, he realized that it wasted energy. He introduced a variety of modifications, including a separate cooling chamber for the steam that made the engine much more efficient.

The subsequent invention of an accurate boring machine for making cannon barrels led to major improvements in the manufacture of steam engines.

The improved steam engine became a decisive element in the Industrial revolution. The new engine powered better water pumps for coal mines - allowing them to go deeper and mine more coal. The engines were used to power factories , steamships and the early steam railroad engines.