Prime Movers
Abstract
Although both electrical and internal-combustion power had appeared experimentally before 1851, the only commercialized source of thermally-developed power at that time was the reciprocating steam-engine. This, following nearly a hundred years of development after the introduction of James Watt’s engine (1759), had become widely established for marine and rail propulsion, mine pumping, driving textile and other machinery, iron rolling-mills, and, in portable form, for driving agricultural equipment. Sizes ranged from 4 to 6 h.p., in the wheeled (not self-propelling) portable agricultural engines to about 800 h.p. for marine use.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Historical Studies and Socio-cultural Analysis
History of Science and Medicine
Advanced Power Generation Technologies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Routledge eBooks
- Pages
- 119–140
- Publication date
- 6 March 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter