---
title: Newcomen Steam Engine Diagram
author: Emoscopes
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17008/newcomen-steam-engine-diagram/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
updated: 2023-02-06
---
# Newcomen Steam Engine Diagram
_Authored by Emoscopes_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17008.png)
## Image Caption
A diagram showing the essential design features of the early atmospheric steam engine designed by Thomas Newcomen (1664-1729) during the [Industrial Revolution](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Industrial_Revolution/). Heated water (blue) creates steam (pink) which has a much great volume. When the steam condenses back to water (by adding cool water from the upper tank), a vacuum is created which pulls in the piston at the top. The falling piston raises the arched lever or chain, which in turn pulls up a weight. When the vacuum tank is emptied, the piston rises again, pulled by the arched lever/chain as it falls back to its natural position thanks to gravity.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Emoscopes. (2023, February 06). Newcomen Steam Engine Diagram. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Emoscopes. "Newcomen Steam Engine Diagram." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 06, 2023. .
### MLA
Emoscopes. "Newcomen Steam Engine Diagram." *World History Encyclopedia*, 06 Feb 2023, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Newcomen_atmospheric_engine_animation.gif) by [**Emoscopes**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Newcomen_atmospheric_engine_animation.gif). Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 06 February 2023. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon a work even for commercial reasons, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.