Thomas Newcomen

Thomas Newcomen (1663-1729) invented the world's first successful atmospheric steam engine in 1712. His innovative design, which derived its power from the pressure of the atmosphere rather than from high steam pressure, was first operated at a South Staffordshire colliery. Within a few years it was being used in almost every mining area in Britain and the rest of Europe.

Although a number of notable engineers made improvements to Newcomen's engines, his design was so practical and efficient that machines of this type were still in use in the early twentieth century. Despite the success of his invention, Newcomen never made much money and never became a houehold name.

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