The city of Birmingham in the West Midlands will honour its adopted son, the inventor James Watt, during a series of events and initiatives during 2019 – the 200th anniversary of his death.
Watt moved to the city aged 38. He died in 1819 – aged 83 – at his home “Heathfield” in Handsworth, now part of Birmingham.
Dr Malcolm Dick from the University of Birmingham has talked about plans to mark 2019 and Watt’s legacy.
Listen to the audio here.
The main picture shows Matthew Boulton’s Soho Manufactory in Birmingham. In 1782 it became the first site with a Watt steam engine. It was also home to the first steam-powered mint. Picture from “The Lives of Boulton and Watt” by Samuel Smiles.
James Watt 