People/engineer

Thomas Newcomen

Thomas Newcomen (1663–1729), engineer, from United Kingdom. Linked to coal, tin.

The lucky break

His atmospheric engine of 1712 was the first authentic beam engine. By August 1716 an advertisement said engines for draining mines were at work in Stafford, Warwick, Cornwall and Flint.1

The downfall

Died probably in London; the Monthly Chronicle announced his death on 7 August 1729.1

Legacy

The DNB says his engine remained the model for pumping engines for nearly three quarters of a century. An engine for Edmonstone Colliery, Midlothian, was contracted in 1725. He was baptised at Dartmouth on 28 February 1663.1

Story cards

Where next

People

InspiredRichard TrevithickFrom Newcomen's atmospheric engine to Trevithick's high-pressure one.1,2

Sources

  1. Newcomen, Thomas Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900 vol 40 (public-domain text on Wikisource), article by R. B. Prosser
  2. Trevithick, Richard Encyclopedia.com (Oxford Companion to British History, Oxford Dictionary of Science entries)

Pictures on this page: Trevithick Richard Linnell.jpg, John Linnell (Public domain).

From the Prospector Trails mining history dataset: each fact links to the source it was checked against. Figures are as the source gives them, in the money of their day. Not investment advice.

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Pictures: Dolcoath tin mine, Camborne, Cornwall: miners in a mine shaft, standing on wooden platforms connected by ladders. Photograph by J. C. Burrow, 1890/1910., Burrow, J. C., 1852-1914 (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Timna in de Negevwoestijn; rotspartij "de zuilen van Salomo", Poll, Willem van de / Europeana (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Pangkalpinang. Mijn 3b. Een reeks koelies bezig met het transporteeren van grond, Europeana (Public Domain Mark 1.0).