James Watt Passes Away

Today in Masonic history James Watt, Scottish inventor, passes away in 1819.

Watt was a Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer. His improvements to the Newcomen Steam Engine were fundamental to the changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution. By recognizing that the current design of the time inefficient he was able to make modifications that allowed for greater efficiency. He was then able to adapt the engine to produce rotary motion moving the engine beyond being just a water pump.

In his later years he would develop the concept of horsepower. The International System of Units would name the watt (the measure of how much "work" electricity can do) after him.

Watt was a member of a the Glasgow Royal Arch Lodge sometime in 1763.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.