Energy · 1712

Newcomen steam engine

An atmospheric beam engine pumps a coal mine: the first practical heat engine.

Thomas Newcomen's engine at Dudley Castle in 1712 used a piston and condensing cylinder to work a mine pump at about 5 hp. Hundreds were built across Britain, letting coal mines go deeper and supplying the fuel for industrialization.

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What it built on 2

What it led to 8

Watch

The power of atmospheric pressure, the power behind the Newcomen Steam Engine of 1712New England Wireless & Steam Museum · YouTube

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

Energy sources in England & Wales since 1800 Latest: 99.9 % of primary energy (2008) 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