Boulton & Watt - History | VintageMachinery.org

Manufacturers Index - Boulton & Watt

Boulton & Watt
Birmingham, England, U.K.
Manufacturer Class: Steam and Gas Engines

History

Last Modified: Dec 2 2018 2:52PM by Jeff_Joslin
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AKA Soho Foundry.

Established in 1762 by Matthew Boulton in Soho, England. In 1764, he took John Fothergill as a partner and the firm became the Soho Manufactory. In 1767, Boulton made a steam engine based on the designs of Thomas Savery. In 1775, he went into partnership with James Watt and changed the company's name to Boulton & Watt. By 1849 the firm became James Watt and Co.

Information Sources

Steam Power on the American Farm by Reynold M. Wik, 1953 page 251
More history and machine information can be found at Grace’s Guide.
Video of Watt's 1779 "Smethwick" pumping engine—the oldest surviving steam engine in the world, and still running. Located at the Birmingham Science Museum. The Wikipedia page on the Smethwick engine has more information.