History of the origin of Mr Watt's improvements on the steam-engine.

A letter written by James Watt to Dr David Brewster.

Date: Written in 1814.
Publication: Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, Volume 2, number 3, 1820, Pages 1-7.


This letter is an interesting document in the history of James Watt's inventions.

Watt explains his work in relation to Dr Robison's system of mechanical philosophy. He also makes a connection with the work of Joseph Black.

He refers to Joseph Black's theory of latent heat and how this impacted on his own work.

Watt wrote the letter while he was living at Heathfield, near Birmingham.
At the time he was distinguished as a:
- Fellow of the Royal Society (London)
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
- Member of the National Institute of France
- Member of the Batavian Society of Rotterdam

He died before this letter was published in the journal.