James Watt: Hero? Superhero?

Was James Watt a hero or superhero? We hear from two Professors who give their view on the Scottish inventor.

David Miller is emeritus professor of the history of science at the University of New South Wales, Sydney. He is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities and a member of the International Academy of the History of Science. In 2019 he published a new book,“The Life and Legend of James Watt: Collaboration, Natural Philosophy, and the Improvement of the Steam Engine”  (University of Pittsburgh Press, hardcover, $50, ISBN 978-0-8229-4558-1).

John Hume is Honorary Professor at the Universities of Glasgow and St. Andrews. He lectured in Economic and Industrial History at the University of Strathclyde, and was also a Principal Inspector of Ancient Monuments, then of Historic Buildings, with Historic Scotland – retiring as Chief Inspector of Historic Buildings in 1999. He said: “I’ve been involved with history of technology for many, many, years. I’ve become very interested in Watt and his connections. I grew up with the idea of Watt was a superhero. As I get older and know more, I’m more convinced he’s a hero – but not a superhero.

“The reason I say that it’s as if the steam engine sprung from his head, ready-made – and it wasn’t quite like that. He had to rely on a large amount of other people.”

Podcast produced by The PR Store