-
Hero of Alexandria invented the first recorded steam engine (actual date of invention was 40 AD), the aeolipile. This engine resembled a wind turbine rather than a piston or pump.
-
Denis Papin used the discoveries of Otto von Guericke and created the first heat engine, the engine would use heat to create steam to do work. This resembles a piston.
-
Thomas Savery created the first steam engine, it was used in the mines to left water out. This engine resembled a pump-jack because it lifted the water out.
-
Thomas Newcomen used a steam engine that used a boiler to create steam that would move a piston in a seperate chamber. The piston moving up and down made the pump work.
-
James Watt enhanced the Newcomen engine by adding a seperate condenser that cooled down the steam. This reduced the volume of heated required to run the engine, thus saving energy.
