James Watt
/ˌdʒeɪmz ˈwɒt/
/ˌdʒeɪmz ˈwɑːt/
- (1736-1819) a Scottish inventor whose work played an important part in the development of the steam engine. His designs for engines improved on those in existence at the time because they used much less fuel. Watt's engines were the first to be suitable for use in factories and were therefore one of the major advances in industry that led to the Industrial Revolution.