On Wednesday, August 25, 1819, James Watt, the brilliant Scottish engineer and inventor, passed away at the age of 83. His improvements to the steam engine didn't just power machines—they powered a movement that transformed the world. By enhancing fuel efficiency and enabling rotary motion, Watt's engine became the backbone of 19th-century factories, mines, and transport systems. It laid the groundwork for modern energy systems and industrial growth—and even gave us the unit of power still used today: the watt.