This fascinating museum exhibit is on how the development of the steam engine has impacted the lives of many people over the last two hundred plus years.

Find out about the men who pioneered the development of the steam engine and the engines that they developed.

This primary source set uses illustrations, documents, and photographs to tell the story of how the steam engine transformed the railroad industry and played crucial roles in the Industrial Revolution and westward expansion.

This collection uses primary sources to explore the steam engine and transportation in the nineteenth century.

In short, readable paragraphs, students can easily follow the history of the invention of the steam engine.

From the Engines of Ingenuity web site. A lengthy page discussing ingenuity and invention as it pertains to steam engine history. Very anecdotal and interesting. Includes biographical information and interesting details about Hero of...

A page describing the parts of a steam engine and explaining their operation. Thorough discussion of the parts.

In this textbook unit, students learn the reasons why the Industrial Revolution took root in England first, and the innovations that made this possible. These included textile inventions such as the flying shuttle and the spinning jenny,...

Describes the life of Hero of Alexandria and discusses Hero's contribution to the development of the steam engine. Text is the actual radio transcript of a syndicated radio broadcast on invention and ingenuity.

A virtual exhibition on the history of steam power, with animated images of the first steam engines. Covers the history of coal mining and engine building by millwrights and engineers, and gives biographical information about early...

An interesting historical account of the development of the steam engine. Provides pictures of the earliest of steam engines.

Few inventions have affected human history as much as the steam engine. Without it, there would have been no locomotives, no steamers and no Industrial Revolution.

Traces the historical evolution of the diesel engine. Explains the distinction between gasoline engines and diesel engines. Discusses the uses of diesel engines. Interesting, anecdotal and well-written. (Text is the actual radio...

From the Smith College Museum of Ancient Inventions website. Description of Heron's invention of the aeolipile - a precursor to the steam engine. Includes a graphic depicting a replica of the device.

Describes the evolution of Thomas Newcomen's steam engine development. Provides several photographs and sketches of Newcomen's machines.

In this STEAM lesson plan, middle schoolers are immersed in a world of transportation design as they use the design thinking process to create their own vehicle prototype out of everyday materials.

This complete chronology of steam power is designed in time line fashion. Next to each year is a detailed description of the invention. Another useful aspect of this site is the "Link to the decades," found at the top of the page. Each...

The digital revival of the glass plate images of the Russian Empire on the eve of World War I by photographer Sergei Mikhaylovich Prokudin-Gorskii. Very interesting from both historical and technological points of view.

The Scottish instrument maker and inventor James Watt had a tremendous impact on the shape of modern society. His improvements to the steam engine were a significant factor in the Industrial Revolution, and when the Watt engine was...

An interesting historical account of the development of the steam engine. Provides pictures of the earliest of steam engines.

From the Engines of Ingenuity web site. A lengthy page discussing ingenuity and invention as it pertains to steam engine history. Very anecdotal and interesting. Includes biographical information and interesting details about Hero of...

From the Engines of Ingenuity web site. A lengthy page discussing ingenuity and invention as it pertains to steam engine history. Very anecdotal and interesting. Includes biographical information and interesting details about Hero of...

Discusses the technological and political conditions which led to Robert Fulton's invention and development of the submarine. Includes some biographical information and some graphics of early submarine sketches. (Text is the actual radio...

A discussion of Robert Fulton's and Henry Shreve's contribution to the evolution of the steamboat. Includes photos of early steamboats and some biographical information on Fulton. (Text is the actual radio transcript of a syndicated...