PODCAST · education
The James Watt Podcast
by James Watt podcast
James Watt is a Scottish engineer and inventor who changed the world. His improvements to the steam engine drove the Industrial Revolution. His success was so great that a unit of power was named a Watt in his honour. The year 2019 marked the 200th anniversary of Watt’s death and the 250th anniversary of Watt’s patent (to use a separate condenser to improve the efficiency of a steam engine). This podcast reflects on his life and legacy and highlights areas to visit.Podcast series produced by The PR Store - www.theprstore.co.uk Supported by Historic Environment Scotland - www.hes.scot
Episodes
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James Watt - hero or villain?
Professor Gordon Masterton from the University of Edinburgh ponders the legacy of James Watt during a talk at the Hippodrome Cinema, Bo'ness, in January 2020. With thanks to staff at Falkirk Community Trust.
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Walking in Watt's footsteps in Birmingham
James Watt spent half his life in the Birmingham area. In 2019, a new walking guide was produced to highlight some of the sites associated with James Watt. Download a PDF here: j.mp/watt-birm-guide In this episode, we travel to Birmingham to visit places linked with James Watt – two churches, the...
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The Watt Institution in Greenock
At the heart of Greenock – on the west coast of Scotland – is a complex which celebrates James Watt, learning and local heritage. This is the Watt Institution – a series of buildings housing the Watt Library, the Watt Hall and McLean Museum and Art Gallery. The buildings cover part of Union…
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James Watt at the Riverside Museum, Glasgow
A new display – inspired by the achievements of the Scottish inventor James Watt – launched at Riverside Museum in Glasgow at the end of 2019. Watt’s development of the steam engine, 250 years ago, made it more efficient – radically reducing the amount of coal required and driving the Industrial...
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The changing narrative about James Watt
Researcher Kate Bowell has been looking at how the story of James Watt has been presented to audiences visiting the National Museum of Scotland. The Museum in Edinburgh is home to a Boulton and Watt engine, which takes pride of place in one of the first floor galleries. Kate has been examining...
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James Watt at the National Museum of Scotland
The Boulton and Watt engine on show at the National Museum of Scotland in Chambers Street in Edinburgh is one of the oldest surviving beam engines in the world. The metal and wood structure – weighing 20 tonnes – was made in London by Scottish inventor James Watt and dates from 1786. In this...
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Scotland’s first rotative Boulton & Watt engine at Kennetpans
Today it’s just a ruin on the north side of the River Forth. But Kennetpans Distillery, near Kincardine in central Scotland, was once the largest distillery in the country and is said to be the “birthplace” of the Scottish whisky industry. It was also once home to Scotland’s first rotative…
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James Watt at the National Galleries of Scotland
Art lovers can come face-to-face with inventor James Watt through the collection of the National Galleries of Scotland. You can view online images from the NGS collection here. We asked Helen Smailes, Senior Curator of British Art (Paintings and Sculpture), at NGS to pick out some of her...
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James Watt and Heriot-Watt University
James Watt’s innovations in energy and engineering have inspired students since the origin the Edinburgh School of Arts, the world’s first mechanics institute, in 1821. The School is now known as Heriot-Watt University. In 2018, we caught up with Angela Edgar, the then curator at Heriot-Watt...
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Dundee’s Boulton and Watt Engine
A Boulton and Watt engine is one of the star attractions at the Verdant Works museum in Dundee. The engine is located in the High Mill section of the works. The engine dates from 1801-1802. It’s one of only five of its kind surviving in the UK and is on loan from Dundee City Council via a...
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James Watt at the National Mining Museum Scotland
Inventor James Watt worked on developing the steam engine to support the mining industry. Watt gained early support from industrialist Dr John Roebuck, who was leasing pits around Bo’ness in central Scotland in the 18th century. Roebuck hoped Watt could improve the steam engine to reduce flooding...
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Watt's final workshop - now at London's Science Museum
London’s Science Museum features a number of Boulton and Watt engines – as well as Watt’s Birmingham workshop (rebuilt in London). The Museum’s curator of mechanical engineering, Ben Russell, told us about what visitors can expect. He also reflected on how the museum celebrated the 100th...
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Watt’s letter copier gets a modern twist
James Watt is famed for his work improving steam engines. But did you know he also invented a letter copier? Watt came up with the device to relive him of the tedium of making copies of his plans and drawings. The copier was patented back in 1780 – and the principle remained in use until the...
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James Watt: Hero? Superhero?
Was James Watt a hero or superhero? We hear from two Professors who give their view on the Scottish inventor. David Miller is emeritus professor of the history of science at the University of New South Wales, Sydney. He is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities and a member of the...
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The women behind James Watt
Historian Dr Kate Croft has been talking about the women behind Watt – his two wives. The inventor and engineer was married to Margaret (“Peggy”) Miller from 1764 until her death in 1773. In 1776 he married Ann MacGregor. Ann’s relationship with Watt continued until his death in 1819. While much...
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James Watt's life in Birmingham
Dr Malcolm Dick from the University of Birmingham talks about the life and legacy of James Watt and his later life in Birmingham . . . . Malcolm also talked about some of the Watt objects which remain in the city - and the sites you can visit to find out more about the Scottish-born inventor....
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The first working Watt engine in the world
James Watt built an experimental steam engine at Kinneil, Bo’ness (in central Scotland) – as part of a partnership with Dr John Roebuck. But did you know that this engine eventually went to work in Birmingham at the famous Soho Manufactory? The Manufactory was set up by businessman Matthew…
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James Watt, Carron and Kinneil
In this episode we explore James Watt's partnership with Dr John Roebuck, one of the founders of Carron Iron Works in Falkirk - and the cottage workshop Roebuck built for Watt at Kinneil House, Bo'ness. Podcast produced by The PR Store.
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James Watt's musical side
James Watt is well known as an inventor and engineer. But did you know that he made musical instruments? Engineering historian Dr Nina Baker told us more. Podcast produced by The PR Store
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James Watt at the University of Glasgow
Engineer and inventor James Watt spent his early working career at the University of Glasgow. Professor Colin McInnes takes up the story. You can see the model Newcomen engine, which inspired Watt, in the Hunterian Museum within the University. The Museum is open to the public.
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James Watt's early life in Greenock
We hear from Valeria Boa about the early life of Scottish inventor James Watt. At the time of recording (2018), Val was the curator of the McLean Museum and Art Gallery in Watt's hometown of Greenock. Val officially retired from her role at the Museum early in 2020.
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The James Watt Podcast - Introduction
Introduction to the James Watt podcast, highlighting the story of the Scottish inventor James Watt - who developed the steam engine and became one of the fathers of the industrial revolution. The podcast uses audio material originally recorded/curated for the JamesWatt.scot website, supported by...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
James Watt is a Scottish engineer and inventor who changed the world. His improvements to the steam engine drove the Industrial Revolution. His success was so great that a unit of power was named a Watt in his honour. The year 2019 marked the 200th anniversary of Watt’s death and the 250th anniversary of Watt’s patent (to use a separate condenser to improve the efficiency of a steam engine). This podcast reflects on his life and legacy and highlights areas to visit.Podcast series produced by The PR Store - www.theprstore.co.uk Supported by Historic Environment Scotland - www.hes.scot
HOSTED BY
James Watt podcast
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The James Watt Podcast have?
The James Watt Podcast currently has 22 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The James Watt Podcast about?
James Watt is a Scottish engineer and inventor who changed the world. His improvements to the steam engine drove the Industrial Revolution. His success was so great that a unit of power was named a Watt in his honour. The year 2019 marked the 200th anniversary of Watt’s death and the 250th...
How often does The James Watt Podcast release new episodes?
The James Watt Podcast has 22 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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Who hosts The James Watt Podcast?
The James Watt Podcast is created and hosted by James Watt podcast.
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