CHAPTER I.
PRELIMINARY MATTER.
Motion the Agent in Manufactures. — Animal Power. — Power depending on physical Phenomena. — Purpose of a Machine. — Prime Mover. — Mechanical qualities of the Atmosphere. — Its Weight. — The Barometer. — Fluid Pressure. — Pressure of rarefied Air. — Elasticity of Air. — Bellows. — Effects of Heat. — Thermometer. — Method of making one. — Freezing and Boiling Points. — Degrees. — Dilatation of bodies. — Liquefaction and Solidification. — Vaporisation and Condensation. — Latent Heat of Steam. — Expansion of Water in Evaporating. — Effects of Repulsion and Cohesion. — Effect of Pressure upon Boiling Point. — Formation of a Vacuum by Condensation. Page [17]
CHAPTER II.
FIRST STEPS IN THE INVENTION.
Futility of early Claims. — Watt the real Inventor. — Hero of Alexandria. — Blasco Garay. — Solomon De Caus. — Giovanni Branca. — Marquis of Worcester. — Sir Samuel Morland. — Denis Papin. — Thomas Savery. [38]
CHAPTER III.
ENGINES OF SAVERY AND NEWCOMEN.
Savery's Engine. — Boilers and their Appendages. — Working Apparatus. — Mode of Operation. — Defects of the Engine. — Newcomen and Cawley. — Atmospheric Engine. — Accidental discovery of Condensation by Jet. — Potter's discovery of the Method of working the Valves. [51]
CHAPTER IV.
ENGINE OF JAMES WATT.
Advantages of the Atmospheric Engine over that of Captain Savery. — It contained no new Principle. — Papin's Engine. — James Watt. — Particulars of his Life. — His first conceptions of the Means of economising Heat. — Principle of his projected Improvements. [69]
CHAPTER V.
WATT'S SINGLE-ACTING STEAM ENGINE.
Expansive Principle applied. — Failure of Roebuck, and partnership with Bolton. — Patent extended to 1800. — Counter. — Difficulties in getting the Engines into Use. [80]