Steam engine

A steam engine is a heat engine that makes use of the thermal energy that exists in steam, converting it to mechanical work. Steam engines were used in pumps, locomotive trains, steam ships and steam tractors, and were essential to the Industrial Revolution. They are still used for electrical power generation using steam turbines.

Steam powered vehicles

Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot demonstrated the first functional self-propelled steam vehicle, his "steam wagon", in 1769. Arguably, this was the first automobile. While not generally successful as a transportation device, the self-propelled steam tractor proved very useful as a self mobile power source to drive other farm machinery such as grain threshers or hay balers.

Related Topics:
Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot - 1769 - Automobile - Tractor - Grain threshers - Baler

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Steam engine powered automobiles continued to compete with other motive systems into the early decades of the 20th century. However steam engines are less favored for automobiles, which are generally powered by internal combustion engines, because steam requires at least thirty seconds (in a flash boiler) or so to develop pressure.

Related Topics:
20th century - Internal combustion engine

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On February 21, 1804 at the Pen-y-Darren ironworks in Wales, the first self-propelled railway steam engine or steam locomotive built by Richard Trevithick was demonstrated.

Related Topics:
February 21 - 1804 - Pen-y-Darren ironworks - Wales - Railway - Richard Trevithick

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