NYSSPE’s Engineer of the week features James Watt, a Scottish inventor and Mechanical Engineer born on January 19, 1736. He was an instrument maker whose steam engine contributed substantially to the Industrial Revolution. Watt’s father ran a successful ship and house building business so from an early age James Watt had a lot of experience with building models. At the age of 17, he decided to become a mathematical-instrument maker. [Read more…]