steam engine

• 1st industrial revolution was mainly textiles that were produced in cottages. Then they were powered by water wheels with rivers in factories.
• Watt developed the steam engine so that they didn't have to rely on river power and so that they could produce goods even when the river froze in the winter.
• It was first used to pump water out of coal mines. 
• It was important for the 1st industrial revolution
• It was an inexpensive way to harness coal power to create steam which generated energy for machinery in textile factories.