At the heart of Greenock - on the west coast of Scotland - is a complex which celebrates James Watt, learning and local heritage. This is the Watt Institution - a series of buildings housing the Watt Library, the Watt Hall and McLean Museum and Art Gallery. The buildings cover part of Union Street and Kelly Street … Continue reading The complex that celebrates Watt in his hometown
Watt experts cross the borders
Leading experts on James Watt have been crossing the English/Scottish border - just like the great man himself. Chris Rice, who has been leading the development of the Watt 2019 celebrations around Birmingham, was in Scotland recently to visit a number of Watt-related sites - including Kinneil Estate in Bo'ness, which boasts the remains of … Continue reading Watt experts cross the borders
Golden statue of Watt to stay in storage until 2020
The iconic statue of James Watt and his associates Matthew Boulton and William Murdoch is set to stay in storage until the autumn of 2020. The golden sculpture used to be on display in Broad Street, in the centre of Watt's adopted city of Birmingham. However, it was removed in 2017 to allow for extension … Continue reading Golden statue of Watt to stay in storage until 2020
Watt Institution set to re-open on November 22
The Watt Institution in Greenock - named after one of the town's most famous sons, the inventor James Watt - is set to re-open to the public at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 22, following at £2.1 million revamp. The complex includes the McLean Museum & Art Gallery, the Watt Library and Watt Hall. The buildings … Continue reading Watt Institution set to re-open on November 22
Watt’s letter copier gets a modern twist
James Watt is famed for his work improving steam engines. But did you know he also invented a letter copier? Watt came up with the device to relive him of the tedium of making copies of his plans and drawings. The copier was patented back in 1780 – and the principle remained in use until the … Continue reading Watt’s letter copier gets a modern twist
Watt exhibition ends on November 2
A major exhibition on inventor James Watt is coming to a close. "Watt In The World" ends its run at the Library of Birmingham on November 2. Admission is free of charge. Get more information on the Birmingham City Council website. You can also read more about the exhibition on this website. The exhibition was set … Continue reading Watt exhibition ends on November 2
Riverside exhibition due on November 20
A James Watt-related display at Riverside Museum in Glasgow is due to launch on November 20, 2019. The new exhibition is entitled "Going Green – The Drive for Energy Efficiency". Keep following Glasgow Life, which runs the museum, for updates. You can also read an earlier article, on plans for the display, on this website.
Get some Enlightenment at Portrait Gallery
The Scottish National Portrait in Edinburgh - home to a bust of James Watt (and other pieces linked to the inventor) - is staging free gallery tours. The next ones are taking place on Saturday, November 2. A spokesperson said: "To coincide with the bicentenary celebrations of Scottish engineer James Watt, historian Alastair Learmont will … Continue reading Get some Enlightenment at Portrait Gallery
The first working Watt engine in the world
James Watt built an experimental steam engine at Kinneil, Bo'ness (in central Scotland) - as part of a partnership with Dr John Roebuck. But did you know that this engine eventually went to work in Birmingham at the famous Soho Manufactory? The Manufactory was set up by businessman Matthew Boulton. Boulton teamed up with Watt … Continue reading The first working Watt engine in the world
Focus on Watt and Smeaton
James Watt's relationship with civil engineer John Smeaton will be the focus of a free talk in Edinburgh this month. Professor Gordon Masterton will present the 2019 Smeaton Lecture - subtitled "Unleashing the power that changed the world" - at the James Clerk Maxwell Foundation in the city's India Street on Wednesday, October 23. The event … Continue reading Focus on Watt and Smeaton
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