James Watt is one of the great Scots featuring in a new exhibition opening today (June 21) at the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh. "Northern Lights, the Scottish Enlightenment" runs until April 2020. Admission is free of charge and there's no need to book. Names connected with the Scottish Enlightenment such as David Hume … Continue reading New exhibition at the National Library
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Countdown to major Watt exhibition
The countdown is on to the launch of a major exhibition about James Watt. "Watt in the World - The Life and Legacy of James Watt 1736-1819" is due to launch at the Library of Birmingham on Friday, July 12. The free display will run until Saturday, November 2, 2019. The exhibition is the centrepiece … Continue reading Countdown to major Watt exhibition
Radio show considers the genius of James Watt
A forthcoming episode of "The Forum" programme on the BBC World Service will focus on inventor James Watt. Dr Malcolm Dick of the University of Birmingham was interviewed for the show. He says the BBC also talked to Watt experts Val Boa from McLean Museum and Art Gallery in Greenock, Ben Russell from the Science … Continue reading Radio show considers the genius of James Watt
Download free Watt factsheets
Teachers and community groups running workshops on James Watt and his family can now download free factsheets. The packs have been compiled by the Mrs History team - delivering sessions in schools around the Birmingham area, as part of the Watt 2019 celebrations, supported by the National Lottery and other funders. Download the factsheets by … Continue reading Download free Watt factsheets
Videos highlight Watt’s life in the English Midlands
History West Midlands has produced a series of videos to highlight the life and legacy of James Watt. Greenock-born Watt spent the second half of his life living and working around the Birmingham area. In this first video, we hear from Professor Peter Jones, Emeritus Professor of French History at the University of Birmingham. https://youtu.be/FUkn5Sd6o0Q … Continue reading Videos highlight Watt’s life in the English Midlands
Download the city walking trail
The Scots-born inventor James Watt spent more than half his life living in the Birmingham area. You can follow in his footsteps by exploring a new city trail, developed to mark the 200th anniversary of Watt's death. Download a copy of the trail here (PDF). You can also pick up paper copies of the detailed … Continue reading Download the city walking trail
Science Festival gets underway
Glasgow Science Festival gets underway today (Thursday, June 6). There will be activities in venues across the city until June 16. The programme includes a number of events to celebrate the life and legacy of James Watt, including: an exhibition on Watt at the University of Glasgow; the James Watt Print Show in the Merchant … Continue reading Science Festival gets underway
Birmingham church celebrates Watt
Historic St Paul’s Church in the Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham is hosting a number of events to celebrate the life and legacy of inventor James Watt. Watt lived in the area when he first moved to Birmingham and attended the church alongside his business partner Matthew Boulton. Three key events are taking place in the Church … Continue reading Birmingham church celebrates Watt
University gives Watt title to Engineering School
The University's of Glasgow's School of Engineering has now become the James Watt School of Engineering - in honour of inventor James Watt, who once worked at the University. This year marks the 200th anniversary of Watt's death. Professor David Cumming, the head of (the renamed) school, said: "The James Watt School of Engineering is … Continue reading University gives Watt title to Engineering School
James Watt engine steams back to life with 3D-printed model
A team of University of Glasgow students have used cutting-edge construction technology to build a model of one of James Watt’s pioneering steam engines, two centuries after his death. Members of the School of Engineering’s JetX student society spent five months putting together a 3D-printed scale model of a Boulton-Watt steam engine. Their model, which … Continue reading James Watt engine steams back to life with 3D-printed model
