The Steam Engine
The idea of using steam for driving stationary machinery originated
in the early centuries. For a long time, no one seemed to have thought
of using steam for transportation purposes. In the earlier historical
records, there is mention of "heat engines," which were used for organ
blowing, the turning of spits, and like purposes. But from this early
date until the 17th century, practically no progress was made in the use
of steam. Though men had experimented with steam up to this time
with more or less success, the world is chiefly indebted for the
developed type of the steam engine to James Watt and George
Stephenson.
James Watt, who secured the position as a maker of scientific
instruments in the University of Glasgow, proposed an idea for
improving the existing steam engine, which was used for pumping
mines. For a long time, owing to a lack of money, he had difficulty in
establishing the merits of his improvements. Finally, he formed a
partnership with Matthew Boulton, a wealthy and energetic man who
lived at Birmingham, England. They began the manufacture of steam
engines at Birmingham, under the firm name of Boulton and Watt. This
partnership was very successful. Watt supplied the inventions; Boulton
furnished the money and attended to the business.
Before the time of Watt, the steam engine was exclusively a steam
pump-slow and wasteful of fuel. Watt made it a quick, powerful, and
efficient engine, requiring only a fourth as much fuel as before. Under
his first patent, the engine was still used only as a steam pump, but his
later improvements adapted it for driving stationary machinery of all
kinds. The commercial success of his engine was soon fully
established.
George Stephenson further modified Boulton and Watt Company's
creation. Stephenson initiated the use of steam for carrying
passengers and goods. In September 1825, the first train passed over
the road. It consisted of thirty-four cars weighing, all told, ninety tons.
The train was pulled by Stephenson's engine, operated by Stephenson
himself, with a signalman riding on horseback in advance. The train
moved off at the rate of ten or twelve miles an hour, and on certain
parts of the road it reached a speed of fifteen miles per hour. The trial
was a complete success.
1. a rotatable machine that is used to cook meat
8
Select the correct answer.
What is the central idea of paragraph 4?
A. Stephenson initiated the use of steam for carrying passengers and goods.
B.
The trial was a complete success.
○ C.
In September 1825, the first train passed over the road.
○ D.
It consisted of thirty-four cars weighing, all told, ninety tons.