Energy · 1698

Savery steam pump

Condensing steam creates a vacuum that sucks water from mines.

Thomas Savery patented 'The Miner's Friend' in 1698, a valveless pump using steam pressure and condensation. It was dangerous and limited to lifts of about 10 m, but it was the first commercial use of steam power.

See it in the living tree Wikipedia

Arcs above join it to what it stood on, arcs below to what it led to. The bar places this stretch on the tree's whole timeline.

What it built on 3

Barometer and vacuum 1643
Scientific method 1620
Coal as industrial fuel 1000

What it led to 1

Newcomen steam engine 1712

Related measurements

The dashed line marks when it first worked.

UK coal production since 1700 Latest: 2.17M tonnes (2019) Source: Our World in Data

Output of key industries in England, 1270-1870 Latest: Coal: 3.77k index (1700=100) (1870) Source: Our World in Data

Fossil fuel consumption Latest: 144k TWh (2025) Source: Our World in Data