Who invented the first steam engine?

The first recorded rudimentary steam engine was the aeolipile described by Heron of Alexandria in 1st-century Roman Egypt. Several steam-powered devices were later experimented with or proposed, such as Taqi al-Din's steam jack, a steam turbine in 16th-century Ottoman Egypt, and Thomas Savery's steam pump in 17th-century England. read more

Before the invention of the gasoline-powered engine, mechanical transportation was fueled by steam. In fact, the concept of a steam engine pre-dates modern engines by a couple thousand years as mathametician and engineer Heron of Alexandria, who lived in Roman Egypt during the first century, was the first to describe a rudimentary version he named the Aeolipile. read more

Almost half a century later, the first steam-powered automobiles were invented. Charles A. Parsons came up with first steam turbine in 1880. By the 20th century, the steam engine was widely used in automobiles and ships. High Pressure Steam Engines: The University of Houston offers information on these engines. read more