Harnessing steam power was a new idea.
It revolutionized industries and transportation in the 18th and 19th centuries. The steam engine was first developed by inventors such as Thomas Savery and Thomas Newcomen in the early 18th century. However, it was James Watt's improvements to the engine in the late 18th century that made steam power more efficient and widely used.
Steam engines were used to power factories, mines, and mills, allowing for increased production and industrialization. They were also used in transportation, with steam locomotives and steamships becoming popular modes of travel and trade.
The efficiency and power of steam engines helped usher in the Industrial Revolution, leading to significant advancements in technology, infrastructure, and communication. This new source of power transformed society and paved the way for modern industrialization.