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Motion · S5M-18441 · 5 Aug 2019

200th Anniversary of the Death of James Watt

Lodged by Kenneth Gibson (No Party Affiliation) Standard Motion 18 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament commemorates the 200th anniversary of the death of the Scottish inventor, mechanical engineer and chemist, James Watt, who was born in Greenock in 1737 and died on 25 August 1819; understands that Watt trained as a mathematical instrument maker and in 1757 opened a workshop in the University of Glasgow, where he became friends with the renowned academics, Joseph Black and Adam Smith; recognises that, during his time in Glasgow, Watt was tasked with repairing a model Newcomen steam engine and discovered that it wasted nearly three quarters of the steam produced, which inspired him to invent the Watt steam engine in 1776; considers that the Watt steam engine immensely improved the power, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of steam engines and therefore was fundamental to the changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution; notes that, because of Watt’s contributions to science and industry, the watt, or unit of power in the International System of Units equal to one joule of work performed per second, was named after him; further notes that a number of important Scottish academic institutions, such as Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and the James Watt College in Greenock, were also named after him, and believes that this important bicentenary should be used to celebrate the life and legacy of one of history’s most influential Scots.

Supporters (18)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.