Engineering historian Dr Nina Baker will talk about inventor James Watt and his links with the world of music at a free event in Birmingham.
The talk – catchily titled “The Mystery Of The ‘James Watt Organ’ And Other Watt Stories More Musical Than Steamy” – will take place at Thinktank, Birmingham’s Science Museum, on November 6, 2019.
Dr Baker says: “James Watt is rightly famed for his engineering innovations, especially the improvements to steam engines which benefitted the industrial processes of his era and those which came after.
“A few cognoscenti nowadays also celebrate his work with three-dimensional copying in his later years.
“However, very few have noticed his involvement with emerging musical instruments, especially in his early career while he still worked and lived in Glasgow before his move to Birmingham.”
Dr Baker has had a varied career, as an academic, engineer and politician. She recently spoke about Watt at a James Watt Supper. Dr Baker also runs a history blog about women in engineering.
Full details about the event are listed below. You can also hear an interview with Nina on this website.
Name of event: The Mystery Of The ‘James Watt Organ’ And Other Watt Stories More Musical Than Steamy
Summary: Dr Nina Baker will share her discoveries about the musical instrument work of our reputedly tone-deaf engineering hero. She is delivering the talk for the Newcomen Society’s Midlands Branch.
Date of event: November 6, 2019
Start and finish times: From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG
Admission: cost – or if it’s free: Free. Please confirm details with organisers/venue nearer the time.
Email for enquiries: midlands@newcomen.com
Access to venue: ThinkTank is fully accessible for visitors with mobility difficulties. There are central lifts to all floors. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome. There is also a multi-storey car park at the site. For full details, please visit the Thinktank website.
Organisers: Newcomen Society, Midlands branch.
James Watt 