James Watt is known chiefly for his significant contributions to the development of the steam engine. Watt’s early life was marked by various challenges and significant events. He was born on January 30, 1736, in Greenock Renfrewshire, Scotland. He came from a relatively modest background. His father, James Watt Sr., was a shipwright and contractor, while his mother, Agnes Muirhead, was from a distinguished family of mathematicians and teachers.
As a child, Watt suffered from poor health, including frequent bouts of illness. Due to his frailty, he spent much of his time at home, where his mother taught him basic reading, writing, and arithmetic. His interest in mathematics and engineering developed during these early years. At the age of 17, Watt became an apprentice to a Glasgow instrument maker named…
