human progress lesson

Heroes of Progress, Pt. 13: James Watt

Some historians believe that the Industrial Revolution has been the most fundamental change in human life since the Neolithic Revolution, when prehistoric humans turned from hunting and gathering to agriculture. James Watt was a key figure in this transformation.

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Heroes of Progress

13-part unit
  • Tu Youyou
    Heroes of Progress, Pt. 25: Tu Youyou

    In this article, Alexander C. R. Hammond explains how Tu Youyou’s discovery of artemisinin was “arguably the most important pharmaceutical intervention in the last half [of the 20th] century.”

  • Richard Cobden
    Heroes of Progress, Pt. 9: Richard Cobden

    Cobden’s work turned Britain, the global hegemon at the time, into a free trading nation – an act that set in motion global trade liberalization that has lifted millions of people out of poverty.

  • John Snow
    Heroes of Progress, Pt. 45: John Snow

    This lesson is about John Snow, an English physician and pioneer in anesthesia and epidemiology. Snow’s groundbreaking work led to the widespread adoption of anesthesia as well as a significant improvement in public health around the world.

  • James Watt
    Heroes of Progress, Pt. 13: James Watt

    Some historians believe that the Industrial Revolution has been the most fundamental change in human life since the Neolithic Revolution, when prehistoric humans turned from hunting and gathering to agriculture. James Watt was a key figure in this transformation.

  • Alan Turing
    Heroes of Progress, Pt. 34: Alan Turing

    In this lesson, students will learn about the tragic life of mathematical genius and key founder of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence, Alan Turing.

  • Kate Sheppard
    Heroes of Progress, Pt. 27: Kate Sheppard

    In this lesson, students will learn about the extraordinary life of Kate Sheppard, the inspirational suffragist whose tireless work and petitioning of New Zealand’s parliament in the latter half of the 19th century is largely credited for the nation becoming the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote in 1893.

  • astell and wollstonecraft
    Heroes of Progress, Pt. 46: Astell and Wollstonecraft

    In this lesson, students will learn about the lives and legacies of Mary Astell and Mary Wollstonecraft, two feminist authors whose philosophical ideas helped form the basis for later movements for gender equality and female empowerment.

  • green borlaug
    Heroes of Progress: Norman Borlaug

    In this lesson, you’ll explore the life of Norman Borlaug, Ph.D. using text and video and consider the lessons we can apply from his story to our own lives and to current world problems.

  • Rosemary Fike
    Rosemarie Fike: Women and Progress

    Rosemarie Fike is an instructor of economics at Texas Christian University and a senior fellow at the Fraser Institute. Her research focuses on understanding the effects of different types of economic institutions on women’s status and lives.

  • Lucy Wills cover
    Heroes of Progress, Pt. 28: Lucy Wills

    In this lesson, students will learn about Lucy Wills, a pioneering physician‐​researcher who discovered the link between inadequate nutrition and anemia in pregnant women.

  • Babbage and Lovelace hero
    Heroes of Progress, Pt. 49: Babbage and Lovelace

    In this lesson, students will learn about the lives and legacies of two 19th‐​century mathematicians and computing pioneers: Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace. These two English polymaths conceived the first automatic computer and recognized that it could have applications beyond mere calculation. Together, they laid the groundwork for modern computing.

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James Watt’s improvement of the steam engine ushered in a wave of industrialization, first in Britain and then around the world, that transformed our economy, society, politics, and environment. Some historians believe that the Industrial Revolution has been the most fundamental change in human life since the Neolithic Revolution, when prehistoric humans turned from hunting and gathering to agriculture. James Watt was a key figure in this transformation.

Warm‐​Up

  • What do you already know about James Watt, steam power, and the steam engine? It’s likely you’ve studied these topics before.

    As a class, create a K‑W-L chart.
K: What do you KNOW about James Watt, steam power, and the steam engine? W: What do you WANT to know about James Watt, steam power, and the steam engine? L: What did you LEARN about James Watt, steam power, and the steam engine?

  • Prepare to read. Build your background knowledge about James Watt and the steam engine by watching this video, then answer the following questions:
    • Where was Watt from, and what was his occupation?
    • How did Watt’s partnership with a Glasgow capitalist benefit both men?
    • What was one specific innovation created by Watt?

Questions for Reading, Writing, and Discussion

Read the article, then answer the following questions:

  • Watt was not the first person to harness steam power. The Newcomen steam engine had been around for decades before Watt was born. What specific problems did Watt find with the Newcomen steam engine when he was asked to repair one?
  • Watt faced many obstacles—both personal and economic—in building his steam engine and bringing it to market. Name three challenges faced by Watt during his early life and career.
  • Institutions matter. What institutional and legal factors present in Britain at the time helped Watt and his business partners develop and benefit from their invention?
  • Although Watt’s steam engine was adopted across the entire manufacturing sector in Britain, in which industry did Watt’s steam engine arguably have the biggest impact?
  • The author writes, “Industrialization has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty” and “industrialization … would not have occurred without the Watt engine.” This statement is true, but what does it leave out?

    Using your knowledge of history, complete the chart below. Note both the benefits and costs of the Industrial Revolution.
Development Benefits Costs
New technology (e.g., the steam engine)
Division of labor and increased specialization
Expanded use of coal as a fuel source
Growing population
Increased urbanization

Extension Activity/​Homework

  • Write an Imaginative Short Story

    Think about how the Industrial Revolution has transformed our daily lives. Before industrialization, most work was done by hand or animal or water power. First steam power, then electricity, changed every aspect of how we live.

    Now imagine that due to a natural or human‐​made disaster, our advanced technological know‐​how has been lost. People have reverted to pre‐​industrial ways of life.

    Write an imaginative short story about yourself, your family, and your friends in this new, post‐​industrial world. How would your everyday routine and habits be different from what they are now? How would you spend your time? What challenges would you face? What aspects of life would be more enjoyable?
  • Dig Deeper by Completing an EDpuzzle

    Learn more about Watt and his innovation by completing this EDpuzzle. The video and questions will help consolidate your learning about this topic in a fun and engaging way.