Deep in the heart of Wiltshire is a historic site with a big claim to fame. Crofton Pumping Station is home to an 1812 Boulton and Watt steam engine – said to be the oldest working steam engine in the world that’s “still capable of doing its original job”. Catherine Hutchings, a project assistant with … Continue reading Living history on offer at Crofton
Watt fun! Family day at Maritime Museum
The Scottish Maritime Museum's base in Irvine, Ayrshire, is hosting a special family fun day - with a focus on James Watt - on Saturday, March 16. The Museum says: "Hear our engines roar, meet James Watt and take part in fun family activities to see how the Industrial Revolution changed Scotland forever." This special … Continue reading Watt fun! Family day at Maritime Museum
Library of Birmingham to host Watt exhibition
Birmingham's stunning central Library is to host a temporary exhibition about James Watt's life and legacy. The display will feature paintings, works on paper, furniture, silver, scientific instruments, personal items, photographs, documents, notebooks and letters. The exhibition is due to launch on Friday, July 12 and run until October 31, 2019. See more on the … Continue reading Library of Birmingham to host Watt exhibition
London museum highlights wonder of Watt
The London Museum of Water and Steam has published its own factsheet for teachers - highlighting "five things you need to know" about James Watt. You can download the factsheet by clicking this link. The factsheet is part of a series of useful links and downloads available on the Museum's website. The Museum in Brentford … Continue reading London museum highlights wonder of Watt
First Minister talks about Watt’s impact
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has talked about James Watt and his legacy during a speech in the United States. The FM admitted that Scotland was, "in so many ways", the country that led the world into the industrial age. "It would be fitting if we could now help to lead the world into a … Continue reading First Minister talks about Watt’s impact
Council considers creating James Watt tartan
The local authority responsible for the birthplace of James Watt - Inverclyde Council - is considering creating a tartan in the inventor's honour. The website Inverclyde Now said the resulting fabric could be shown off during the "Tartan Day" celebrations. These take place in New York each April. The website also said the Council’s annual … Continue reading Council considers creating James Watt tartan
Check out Watt in Manchester
James Watt's statue in Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens has been profiled by the website Mancunian Matters. The site says: "Although not a Mancunian, it was through Watt’s improvements to the steam engine that Manchester became a huge manufacturing city." The site says the Manchester statue is a replica of one that stands in Westminster Abbey. Watt's … Continue reading Check out Watt in Manchester
Home of the Kelpies celebrates Watt
The Helix Park - home to the Kelpies, the world's largest equine sculptures - is hosting three events exploring the surrounding area's industrial heritage. James Watt and other historical characters linked with the area will feature in the talks, which take place over three Thursdays in February 2019, in the park's main visitor centre (pictured). … Continue reading Home of the Kelpies celebrates Watt
Website highlights Scotland’s contributions to science
James Watt is just one of the amazing Scots whose inventions changed the world. The website Gizmodo has published an article celebrating great Scots and their achievements in science and technology. Watt, naturally, is included. The site chose January 25, 2019 - on what would have been the 260th birthday of another famous Scot, Rabbie … Continue reading Website highlights Scotland’s contributions to science
Falkirk Herald tells of Watt’s workshop
James Watt's cottage workshop at Kinneil Estate, Bo'ness, has been profiled in an article by historian Ian Scott in The Falkirk Herald newspaper. Watt did early work to develop the steam engine at Kinneil before moving to Birmingham. Mr Scott said: "The workshop (at Kinneil) in which much of the experimental work was done still stands, though … Continue reading Falkirk Herald tells of Watt’s workshop
