Power of Steam

In the first part of the 19th century you'll find the steam engines in factories and ships. They also played an important part in the Railroads. Today we think in terms of electricity but throughout much of the 19th century steam power developed and then faded by the end of the century.

Steam first started to be used with a pump. But steam has to be feed. You need to add water to your boilers and you need to add coal or wood to be burned to heat the boilers.

In most cases you'll find that steam was in large part the catalyst for the Industrial Revolution. It was the factories & mills that progressed the most with the use of steam.

Because we overlook it today, those of us who write historical fiction tend to over look this hugh industry and just how differently things worked. Please take time to note what kind of industries were alive and well during the time period you're writing in.

Here's a list of some of the many steam applications that played a part in the 19th century.

Winding engines
Rolling mill engines
steam donkeys
Pumping stations
steamboats, steamships
steam locomotive
traction engine
Steam tractor
Steam engines powered the cable railways & tramways
steam wagon,
steam bus also known as steam carriages
steam tricycle
steam car
steam shovel
steam roller also known as road rollers